Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, departed the Presidential Villa, Abuja, together in the same vehicle on Sunday night following a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Presidency officials familiar with the development confirmed to Lagos Panorama that although both political actors arrived at the Villa separately, they left together after the President’s intervention — a move interpreted by insiders as a symbolic step toward reconciliation.
“Both of them did not come together. Fubara came first, then Wike came later. But at the end of the meeting, both of them left the Villa in the same vehicle. That suggests that they may have resolved their differences,” a source said.
Another official, who confirmed the meeting, stated: “Yes, the President met with them last night. He spoke to both of them. They settled, but I cannot disclose the details of their discussion.”
Earlier reports indicated that after leaving the Villa, Fubara accompanied Wike to the minister’s residence in Guzape, Abuja.
The development signals a possible turning point in the protracted political crisis that has gripped Rivers State for nearly two years, significantly disrupting governance in the oil-rich state.
The rift between Wike and his successor, Fubara — once regarded as his political protégé — began shortly after the latter assumed office in May 2023. The disagreement soon escalated into a full-blown power struggle.
In October 2023, lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor. In response, the Assembly complex was later demolished following a fire incident, and legislative sittings were relocated to temporary facilities.
The crisis deepened in the ensuing months, polarising the political structure of the state and stalling administrative activities.
President Tinubu first intervened in December 2023, brokering a peace accord that saw Fubara concede certain political appointments to Wike’s loyalists. The truce, however, proved short-lived as tensions resurfaced.
On March 18, 2025, the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating insecurity and governance paralysis. The declaration temporarily suspended the governor’s executive authority for six months and led to the appointment of a Sole Administrator, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.).
Emergency rule was lifted in September 2025 following renewed presidential mediation.
Despite that intervention, tensions have persisted between the governor and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, which recently issued another impeachment notice against Fubara.
Sunday night’s meeting at the Presidential Villa is therefore seen as a renewed attempt by the President to restore lasting political stability in Rivers State.
