President Bola Tinubu is reportedly preparing to reinstate the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, along with the Rivers State House of Assembly, later this July. This development follows a successful reconciliation brokered between Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, sources at the Presidency have revealed.
Okay.ng reports that the decision emerged after a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday night. Present were Fubara, Wike, suspended Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly Martin Amaewhule, and several lawmakers. The meeting marked a breakthrough in a political crisis that began in October 2023 when a power struggle between Fubara and Wike escalated, leading to impeachment attempts and a state of emergency declared by Tinubu in March 2025.
In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited “disturbing security reports” about pipeline vandalism and a failure by the governor to address the situation, prompting the six-month suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers. The crisis also involved violent incidents, including bombings and arson attacks on government offices.
The reconciliation agreement includes key terms: Fubara will complete his tenure but will not seek re-election in 2027. Wike will nominate chairmen for all 23 local government areas, restoring grassroots political control. Fubara has also agreed to pay outstanding allowances to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers who were suspended during the crisis.
Following the meeting, Wike said, “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.” Fubara echoed this, stating, “What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, peace has returned.”
The President is expected to make a formal announcement upon his return from diplomatic visits to Saint Lucia and Brazil. This political settlement aims to restore calm and stability to Rivers State after months of turmoil.
