- Nyesom Wike reported that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is seeking to resolve the political tensions in the state.
- Fubara’s outreach occurred after his meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London.
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, recently reached out in an effort to mend the deepening political rift in the state. The outreach reportedly came after Fubara’s meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London, which followed the federal government’s imposition of a six-month state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2024.
As part of the emergency measure, Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed to manage the state during this period.
Wike, speaking in a media interview, said Fubara’s move for reconciliation was facilitated by two governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite their political differences—Wike being aligned with the APC and Fubara with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—the former governor said he was not opposed to peace but emphasized that genuine resolution required more than a superficial gesture.
He expressed disappointment over the situation, attributing the ongoing crisis to poor decisions and negative influence from political actors around Fubara. According to Wike, the conflict might have been prevented if earlier advice from experienced leaders had been taken seriously.
The FCT Minister also raised concerns about the operational dysfunction in Rivers governance, stating that unless deeper issues are addressed, problems such as the legislature’s inactivity and stalled funding will persist. He cautioned that simply lifting the emergency order will not be enough to restore normalcy.
Wike further questioned the sincerity of the peace efforts, citing ongoing provocative behavior by Fubara’s allies, which he believes undermines attempts at genuine reconciliation. He stressed that moving forward would require clear and consistent action, not just verbal commitments.
