Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday dissolved the State Executive Council, a sweeping decision announced that sources said was tied to a two-week ultimatum issued under a renewed peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
The dissolution was confirmed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, who said all commissioners and special advisers must immediately hand over to Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.
While the official statement was measured in tone, the dissolution comes just 48 hours after Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, confirmed that President Tinubu had intervened to broker a final resolution to the protracted political crisis in the oil-rich state.
Crucially, authoritative sources have revealed that the peace accord came with strict conditions: Governor Fubara has two weeks to dissolve the current state executive, constitute a new cabinet, and forward the list to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the President’s intervention was precipitated by an ongoing impeachment process initiated against Fubara by lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Wike.
It is the third such impeachment notice and has been the subject of intense litigation. However, this time, presidency sources indicated that there would be zero tolerance for further delays.
“He has two weeks to dissolve the current state executives, constitute new executives, and forward the list to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation,” a senior source told our correspondent. “This is not a joke but a serious matter. Governor Fubara will be impeached if he fails to comply with the terms of the peace accord this time.”
The development signals a shift in the months-long power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike. The two political leaders have been locked in a bitter battle for control of the state’s political structure since Fubara assumed office. The crisis has created a divide in the state legislature, and repeatedly drawn the intervention of the President.
Speaking on Tuesday after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike confirmed the latest intervention, revealing that the meeting held on Monday, February 9, was at the instance of President Tinubu. He said the President took the initiative to broker peace between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“I remember this is the second time the President is intervening and believe by the grace of God, this is going to be the last time,” Wike said.
“I have told the assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate. I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure that this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord.”
Sunday’s meeting, which reportedly took place at about 11pm at the President’s official residence in the State House, was the fourth time Mr Tinubu has stepped into the fray. It was attended by Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, and other political leaders from the state.
Reports indicated that after the meeting, Governor Fubara accompanied the FCT Minister to his residence in Guzape, Abuja, a gesture widely interpreted as a thaw in their icy relationship.
The heart of the dispute has been the control of Rivers State’s political machinery. Wike, who is credited with ensuring Fubara’s victory in the 2023 governorship election, is believed to expect continued loyalty and control over party affairs.
Recent reports suggested that President Tinubu urged Governor Fubara to recognise Wike as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State. This dynamic is complicated by party affiliations: Fubara is a member of the APC, while Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) serving as a minister in the APC-led federal government.
Thursday’s cabinet dissolution is widely seen as the governor’s most significant concession to the peace deal. Political analysts note that by clearing the entire executive council, Fubara has given himself a free hand to constitute a new team—one that will likely be more palatable to the Wike-led legislative faction.
It remains unclear whether the pro-Wike lawmakers will now withdraw the impeachment notice. However, Thursday’s development is expected to ease tensions. The onus now falls on the Assembly to expedite the screening and confirmation process once the new list is submitted.
Governor Fubara, in his brief statement, avoided any mention of the political crisis or the President’s intervention. By choosing to thank the outgoing appointees and focusing on continuity through the permanent secretaries, he projected an image of administrative normalcy.
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