President Bola Tinubu is reportedly preparing to reinstate suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, later this month, following a high-level peace agreement with former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
According to multiple sources within the Presidency, the move comes after a closed-door reconciliation meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday night. The meeting was attended by President Tinubu, Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers.
The political crisis in Rivers State reached a breaking point on March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state. Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months, following security reports of rising militant activities and pipeline vandalism which the presidency claimed Fubara failed to address.
The roots of the crisis trace back to October 2023, when a power struggle erupted between Fubara and Wike, his former political mentor. The rift led to impeachment attempts by 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, and a series of violent incidents including the bombing of the State Assembly complex and attacks on political offices during disputed local government elections.
While Fubara’s return was initially expected after the emergency declaration expired in September, recent developments suggest he could resume office earlier than planned. Sources say the peace agreement includes key concessions from both sides.
As part of the deal, Fubara will reportedly serve out his tenure but will not seek re-election in 2027. In exchange, the impeachment process against him will be dropped, and he will settle outstanding entitlements owed to the pro-Wike lawmakers. Wike is also expected to nominate all 23 local government chairpersons in the state, reinforcing his control at the grassroots level.
The Supreme Court had earlier reinstated Speaker Martins Amaewhule and affirmed the legitimacy of the pro-Wike lawmakers. The court also nullified the February 2024 LGA elections conducted under Fubara’s administration.
Despite speculations that Fubara’s reinstatement would come with a resignation clause, Presidency insiders denied any such condition. “There are terms in every resolution, but asking the governor to step down is not one of them,” a source insisted.
Sources added that the President emphasized the need to restore calm to the oil-rich state, stating that Rivers could not afford a prolonged political crisis.
During the reconciliation meeting, President Tinubu reportedly told Fubara to “begin preparing to return to office.” The formal announcement is expected after Tinubu returns from diplomatic visits to Saint Lucia and the BRICS Summit in Brazil, scheduled for July 6–7.
Both Fubara and Wike have since publicly acknowledged the peace deal.
“We have all agreed to work together,” Wike told reporters after the meeting. “Just like humans, there are disagreements, and there are moments for resolution. That’s what has happened today.”
Governor Fubara added, “Peace has returned to Rivers State by the special grace of God. We will do everything possible to sustain it.”
In a symbolic step toward reconciliation, Fubara has reportedly disbanded his support groups, including the “Simplified Movement” and “Simplified Elders,” which were formed during the crisis. The move is seen as a gesture of reintegration into the broader political structure led by Wike.
Confirming the directive, PDP chieftain and former lawmaker, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said, “We were one family before. Now that peace has returned, reintegration is necessary.”
The Rivers State crisis had deeply divided the state’s political landscape, with Fubara’s supporters aligning under the “Simplified” banner, while Wike’s loyalists operated under “Wikematics.” The latest reconciliation deal appears to mark a significant turning point in the turbulent political saga.
FUBARA TO RESUME SOON?
