In a significant effort to resolve the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu hosted a high-level, closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on June 26, 2025.
The gathering brought together key figures involved in the crisis, including the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other state lawmakers.
The meeting aimed to broker peace and restore stability in the oil-rich South-South state, which has been plagued by a protracted power struggle.
The political crisis in Rivers State, primarily between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has caused significant governance disruptions, including threats of impeachment, the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex, and the emergence of parallel legislative leadership.
This tension escalated to the point where, on March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing security concerns such as pipeline vandalism and the inability of political actors to work together.
Also see: Wike: We Have Agreed To Work With The Governor
This led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months, with Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (retired) appointed as interim administrator.
The June 2025 meeting marked a pivotal moment in reconciliation efforts. It followed earlier interventions by Tinubu, including a December 2023 peace deal that failed to fully resolve the conflict due to accusations of non-compliance from both sides.
Visuals from the recent meeting showed a more positive atmosphere, with images and videos capturing moments of cordiality, including handshakes and laughter among the attendees. A source close to the presidency indicated that the parties had reconciled, suggesting a potential resolution to the crisis.
While the state of emergency has not been formally lifted, these developments point toward a possible return to normalcy in Rivers State.
The meeting’s significance lies in its attempt to mend the rift between Fubara and Wike, whose fallout has deeply divided the state’s political landscape. The presence of key lawmakers, including Speaker Amaewhule, underscores the effort to restore cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of the state government.
Tinubu’s intervention reflects his broader commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Rivers State, a critical region for Nigeria’s oil economy, often described as “the goose that lays the golden egg.”
