ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu has reportedly mediated a fresh reconciliation move between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, with both political rivals leaving the Presidential Villa together after a closed-door meeting on Sunday night.
Presidency officials familiar with the development said the two leaders arrived separately but departed in the same vehicle following discussions with the President, a gesture interpreted by insiders as a sign of easing tensions in their prolonged political dispute.
According to one official, the development suggests progress toward resolving their differences.
Another source confirmed that Tinubu held separate talks with both men but declined to disclose details of the discussions.
Earlier reports indicated that after the meeting, Fubara accompanied Wike to his residence in Abuja.
The meeting is being viewed as a possible turning point in Rivers State’s political crisis, which has disrupted governance in the oil-rich state for nearly two years.
The rift between Wike and his former political ally began shortly after Fubara assumed office as governor in May 2023.
Tensions escalated later that year when lawmakers loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The situation worsened after the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was demolished following a fire incident, forcing legislators to relocate sittings to temporary quarters.
President Tinubu previously intervened in December 2023, facilitating a fragile peace deal that included concessions on political appointments to Wike’s loyalists.
However, the agreement later collapsed, leading to renewed tensions.
The crisis peaked on March 18, 2025, when Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, temporarily suspending the governor’s executive powers and appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator.
Emergency rule was lifted in September 2025 after further presidential intervention, but political disagreements have persisted, including renewed impeachment threats from the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
Observers say the latest meeting could signal another attempt to restore political stability in Rivers State.
