President Bola Tinubu is set to reinstate the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the State House of Assembly this month, following a high-level reconciliation effort between Fubara and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Presidency sources told The Pinpoint News that the President’s decision comes on the heels of a closed-door meeting held last Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was attended by Tinubu, Wike, Fubara, suspended Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and several lawmakers.
“Fubara is happy with the peace brokered by the President,” one source familiar with the talks said. “Given the way things have progressed—Fubara and Wike were recently seen riding together and exchanging pleasantries—the deal for Fubara’s return is sealed.”
The Rivers crisis peaked on March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in the state, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the entire State Assembly. In a national broadcast, Tinubu said the action followed “disturbing security reports,” including pipeline vandalism allegedly ignored by the state government.
The roots of the crisis trace back to October 2023, when a political feud between Fubara and Wike over control of Rivers State structures resulted in impeachment moves by 27 pro-Wike lawmakers. Tinubu had previously intervened on October 31, 2023, but the peace deal collapsed shortly after.
The Supreme Court later ruled in favour of the pro-Wike camp, reinstating Amaewhule as Speaker and declaring the defected lawmakers’ seats valid. It also nullified the LGA elections organised by Fubara’s camp in February 2024. Tensions deepened when the Assembly gave Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to re-present the state budget—a directive he was unable to follow as he was locked out of the Assembly complex.
In March, impeachment notices were served on Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing alleged misconduct. Tinubu responded by suspending all state officials and installing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator—an unprecedented move that drew legal and constitutional scrutiny.
Though the emergency order was initially expected to run until September, insiders say Tinubu is keen to resolve the impasse earlier. “At the latest, Fubara should resume as Rivers State Governor this month,” said a presidency source. “Once the President returns from Saint Lucia and Brazil, he will make the formal announcement.”
Tinubu is currently on a diplomatic tour and is expected to attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil from July 6–7 after visiting Saint Lucia.
Another insider confirmed that during the Villa meeting, Tinubu told Fubara to “start preparing to return to office,” marking the final phase of the reconciliation.
While there had been speculation that Fubara’s return might be tied to his resignation, a presidency official dismissed the claim. “That’s not true. No such condition was given. In every conflict resolution, there are terms, but asking Fubara to resign was never one of them,” the source said.
However, The Pinpoint understands that the reconciliation deal imposes significant limits on the governor’s powers.
According to multiple sources, the conditions include that Fubara will not seek a second term in 2027, will cede control of local government administration to Wike’s camp, and will reduce his political influence within the state.
“The President made it clear that Rivers cannot afford a prolonged crisis. The deal is about restoring calm—but it comes at a steep cost for Fubara,” a source said.
As part of the agreement, Wike is reportedly to nominate all 23 LGA chairmen in Rivers. Fubara will also pay all outstanding entitlements to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, who had earlier defected to the APC but remained in the House—an action that sparked legal battles.
The impeachment threats will be withdrawn, and the lawmakers are expected to return to legislative business under a revised understanding.
Following Thursday’s meeting, both Wike and Fubara issued statements confirming that peace had returned.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us,” Wike said. “We are members of the same political family. Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have time to settle your disagreement—and that has been finally concluded today.”
Fubara echoed the sentiment: “What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, tonight, with the help of the President and the agreement with leaders of the state, peace has returned. We’ll do everything within our power to make sure we sustain it this time around.”
In a symbolic gesture signalling his full reintegration into the Wike political camp, Fubara has reportedly dissolved his core political movements, including the “Simplified Movement” and “Simplified Elders,” which were formed in resistance during the peak of the crisis.
With this development, Rivers State looks poised for a return to political normalcy, albeit under new terms shaped by a fragile truce.
