The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has reportedly visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and his political predecessor, Nyesom Wike, in a bid to reconcile following months of deepening political tensions.
Multiple sources confirmed that Governor Fubara was taken to Wike’s Abuja residence on Friday, 18 April, by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Ogun governor Olusegun Osoba. The meeting came shortly after Fubara met with President Bola Tinubu in London over the lingering political conflict in Rivers State.
According to insiders, the embattled governor made a dramatic plea for peace during the visit. “Fubara prostrated before Wike, held his legs, and repeatedly called him ‘My Oga’,” one source familiar with the meeting disclosed.
The closed-door session reportedly lasted into the early hours of Saturday, 19 April. While the details of their conversation remain undisclosed, sources say Fubara was advised to engage with key political stakeholders in Rivers State, especially elders, and provide clarity on his rift with Wike.
Spokesperson to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, confirmed that the meeting occurred but declined to share details. Meanwhile, Nelson Chukwudi, spokesperson to Governor Fubara, declined comment and referred inquiries to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, who was unreachable as of press time.
Political Backdrop
Governor Fubara and Minister Wike, once allies, fell out less than six months into Fubara’s administration. Their feud caused a major division in the Rivers State House of Assembly, splitting lawmakers into two factions—27 loyal to Wike and three aligned with Fubara. The governor maintained that the pro-Wike lawmakers lost their seats after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a 28 February 2025 Supreme Court judgment reinstated the Wike-backed lawmakers, declared their faction the legitimate legislative body, nullified local government elections conducted by Fubara’s administration, and halted federal allocations to the state.
The crisis escalated on 14 March when the assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, served an impeachment notice on Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. The lawmakers accused the governor of financial misconduct, bypassing the assembly’s authority in appointments, and withholding funds meant for the legislature.
Deputy Governor Odu was also accused of colluding in the alleged illegal appointments without legislative approval.
Fubara’s impeachment troubles intensified following his compliance with Supreme Court rulings that led to the removal of elected local government chairpersons.
Public reaction to President Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State—alongside the suspension of Fubara and other elected officials—has drawn significant backlash across the country.
Nzubechukwu Eze.
