Supporters of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara have expressed mixed reactions to his reconciliation with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

While some have welcomed the peace initiative, others have described the truce—brokered by President Bola Tinubu—as fragile and a form of capitulation by the governor.

President Tinubu facilitated the reconciliation during a closed-door meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday night. In attendance were Wike, Fubara, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and a few lawmakers.

Truce conditions

Presidency sources familiar with the meeting said Fubara agreed to complete his current tenure without contesting for re-election in 2027. One source stated, “It was one of the issues raised. In fact, it was the main issue. He agreed to conclude his tenure in peace and leave the stage after that.”

Fubara also reportedly consented to Wike selecting all the local government chairpersons across the state’s 23 LGAs.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Wike said the rift between himself and Fubara had been resolved, and both parties had committed to ending hostilities and working together.

“We are members of the same political family,” Wike said.

He acknowledged the prolonged crisis and described the agreement reached on Thursday as final.

“Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have time to also settle your disagreement. And that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr President; that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over,” he said.

Fubara also confirmed the reconciliation, describing it as a moment of “divine intervention” and a significant turning point for the state.

He pledged his full commitment to maintaining the unity achieved during the presidential peace meeting.

The fallout

The dispute between Wike and Fubara began shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023.

Tensions intensified in October 2023 when Wike-aligned lawmakers in the Rivers Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

Fubara responded by demolishing the Assembly building following a mysterious fire and relocating sittings to an alternative venue.

In the months that followed, the state was plunged into political turmoil.

President Tinubu intervened in December 2023, brokering a fragile peace that saw Fubara make political concessions to Wike’s allies. The arrangement collapsed, leading to a renewed crisis and the declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025.

As part of the emergency measures, the President suspended Fubara’s executive powers for six months and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) as sole administrator.

The latest peace deal has divided Fubara’s supporters, with criticism focused on the terms and process of the reconciliation.

Fubara supporters reject move

Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former Rivers State Commissioner, described the Abuja meeting as a “surrender,” not a reconciliation.

He criticised the governor for attending the meeting without any of his allies, saying, “What I see is not reconciliation. What I see is a surrender. In a reconciliation, parties come with their supporters and discussions are made, concessions are made. Where Governor Fubara walked alone to the Presidency without a single of his own supporters, not his deputy, not his Secretary to the State Government, not his Chief of Staff, not his factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and others.

“On the other hand, Wike went with his entire House of Assembly loyalists and elders and you say they went for reconciliation. No, I think Governor Sim was called to surrender and he did.”

He also commented on the meeting’s composition, describing it as “a story itself” and a sign that the governor had been subdued.

He added, “What it behoves for Rivers people is clear, that the political structures, economic structures and realm of leadership of Rivers State have returned to the old order.”

The Rivers Emancipation Movement (REM) released a statement on Friday rejecting the reconciliation as against the interest of the people.

The group said any agreement that appeases “a few selfish individuals and undermined the collective interest of Rivers people will not stand.”

REM’s National President, Zoe Tamunotonye, accused Fubara of betraying the people who stood by him by excluding them from the process.

The statement read in part, “This development marks the second Abuja-brokered reconciliation attempt. The first failed to yield any meaningful resolution or address the real causes of the political tension that has paralysed governance and destabilised peace in Rivers State.

“REM unequivocally frowns at this so-called reconciliation in its entirety. It is nothing more than a hollow, self-serving political arrangement that prioritises the narrow interests of a few political actors while completely ignoring the collective pain, sacrifices, and aspirations of the Rivers people. This is not reconciliation—it is a calculated collusion that will fail again.”

The group said the peace deal was founded on “falsehood, self-interest, and short-term political convenience,” and would not endure.

Political commentator and activist Deji Adeyanju also expressed doubts, calling the reconciliation fragile.

“Wike has proved time and again that his word holds no weight. The recent reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike should not be mistaken for lasting peace,” Adeyanju stated.

Referencing Wike’s political history, he said, “From his vow at the PDP convention to abide by the outcome, which he swiftly disregarded, to his betrayal of Dr Peter Odili, a man he once called his political father, and his calculated political attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Wike’s pattern is clear; he honours only his own ambition.”

He warned, “Governor Fubara must prepare his mind that this reconciliation is a trap, and not a truce. Wike will not only undermine him now but will breach the agreement on purpose.”

Supporters applaud truce

On the other hand, Fubara’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, expressed hope that the peace deal would lead to the state’s recovery.

He noted that the emergency rule and suspension had caused serious social and economic setbacks.

He said, “So, now that the gladiators have said they are ready to sheath their swords for the peace of Rivers State, what else?

“The FCT minister was there and he said he is ready for peace. The Assembly people are also ready for peace and everybody needs to respect the decisions of their leaders so that at the end of the day, he still remain your leader.

“What we are after is anything that will bring about peace and development to Rivers State, it’s not a big task. There has been arrested development, everywhere was dirty, businesses are shutting down, no business, contractors are even moving out of sites.”

He dismissed fears that the governor would be manipulated, stating that Fubara still held leadership authority.

“Our people will always say that the one who holds the head of the cutlass is the one who owns the cutlass.

“As it stands now, he is the one that holds the head of the cutlass, and he is the owner of the cutlass, he is the champion, he is the leader of Rivers State, over seven million people, and I think they need to also respect that,” he said.

Former lawmaker Ogbonna Nwuke described Thursday’s meeting as the culmination of multiple reconciliation efforts by the President.

Nwuke, a former Information Commissioner in Rivers, explained that the restricted attendance was appropriate since only principal parties were involved.

He said, “Very clearly, the President has been behind efforts to reconcile. Those who are following events know that right from the time Governor Siminalayi met him (Tinubu) in the United Kingdom, the President has been behind the scene pulling the strings getting the warring parties to come to the round table.

“What happened yesterday (Thursday) was the climax of all of the efforts that have been made to restore understanding, to build cooperation and also to enhance collaboration among major actors within the Rivers polity”.

Asked whether he expected the suspension to be lifted, Nwuke said the peace meeting marked a key step forward, and only the President could now determine when the emergency rule would be ended.

Credit: The Punch