The political turmoil that has engulfed Rivers State in recent weeks has finally found resolution after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Villa in Abuja on Monday.
The meeting, which included key political figures from the state, aimed to address the escalating crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Minister Nyesom Wike.
Among the attendees were ex-Rivers governor Peter Odili, traditional rulers, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Rivers State had witnessed a series of intense political confrontations, with the state House of Assembly at the center of the storm.
The discord led to defections, parallel sittings, an impeachment plot against the governor, the demolition of the Assembly complex, and the resignation of pro-Wike commissioners from Fubara’s cabinet.
Following Monday’s meeting, the parties involved reached a truce with several resolutions:
- Withdrawal of Court Cases: All matters instituted in the courts by Governor Fubara and his team are to be withdrawn immediately.
- Halt to Impeachment Proceedings: All impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Wike by the Rivers State House of Assembly are to be dropped immediately.
- Recognition of Assembly Leadership: Both camps agreed to recognize the leadership of Martin Amaewhule in the Rivers State House of Assembly and not that of Edison Ehie.
- Reinstatement of Benefits: The remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff are to be reinstated immediately without interference from the Governor.
- Legislative Autonomy: The Rivers State House of Assembly is free to choose its location for legislative business without hindrance from the Executive arm of Government.
- Budget Presentation: Governor Fubara shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.
- Commissioner Resubmission: Names of commissioners who resigned due to the political crisis should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval.
- Local Government Administration: There should not be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State, and the dissolution of the Local Government administration is null and void.
