The prolonged political discord between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has come to an end following a peace meeting facilitated by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
After the closed-door discussion on Thursday night, Wike addressed journalists, confirming that both parties had agreed to cease hostilities and work together. “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,” he said. Wike acknowledged the months-long crisis but described the agreement as final and binding. “Just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have a time to settle your disagreement. And that has been finally concluded today,” he added.
He called on political supporters to embrace the new spirit of cooperation, emphasizing that “there’s no more acrimony.”
Governor Fubara also spoke about the significance of the reconciliation, calling it “a day we have to thank Almighty God.” He highlighted peace as essential for the state’s advancement and expressed gratitude for the intervention of the President and state leaders. “Peace has returned in Rivers State,” he declared.
Fubara committed to maintaining the unity achieved, promising to “do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.”
The political conflict between Wike and Fubara erupted shortly after Fubara’s inauguration in May 2023. The crisis intensified in October when impeachment proceedings were launched against Fubara by Wike’s supporters in the Rivers State House of Assembly. Following a suspicious fire that destroyed the Assembly complex, Fubara relocated legislative sessions to temporary facilities.
President Tinubu first intervened in December 2023, brokering a fragile peace deal that granted Wike’s loyalists several political appointments. However, the arrangement failed to hold, and in March 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Fubara’s powers and appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) as sole administrator.
This renewed peace agreement offers hope for stability and progress in Rivers State’s governance.