President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday night facilitated a peace agreement between the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following months of political tension in the state.
This came after a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja involving President Tinubu, Fubara, Wike, and some lawmakers from Rivers State.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development via a post on his official X account. “President Bola Tinubu hosted a reconciliation meeting on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, bringing together all the figures in the Rivers State political crisis,” Onanuga wrote.
Speaking to State House correspondents shortly after the meeting, Wike announced that all parties have now settled their differences.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family,” Wike said.
“Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have a time to settle your disagreement.
“And that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr. President, that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over,” he said.
Wike also used the opportunity to call on political supporters and followers from both sides to embrace peace and stop any further agitation.
“And I enjoin everybody who believes to work with us, to also work together with everybody, that there’s no more acrimony. There’s nothing to say.”
Confirming the development, Fubara described the peace meeting as a divine moment and a significant turning point for the state’s political future.
“For me, it’s a day we have to thank Almighty God. For me, it’s very important that this day has come to be,” Fubara said.
He emphasized the critical role of peace in the state’s progress and expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s intervention.
“What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, our leader, peace has returned in Rivers State.”
“We’ll do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around,” he added.
Wike and Fubara had been locked in a bitter power struggle over the control of political structures in Rivers State. The conflict led to the intervention of President Tinubu, who, on March 18, declared a state of emergency in the state. As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
The President also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-ette Ibas as the sole administrator of the state during the period of suspension.
