President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday met behind closed doors with major political stakeholders from Rivers State in an effort to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the state.
The high-level meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, had in attendance the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, alongside other lawmakers from the state assembly.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to rising insecurity and alleged failure of key state actors to work in harmony. The declaration came with the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire House of Assembly.
Thursday’s meeting is believed to be part of a renewed peace process aimed at ending the months-long political impasse.
Images from the Presidential Villa showed President Tinubu seated with Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, and the lawmakers in what appeared to be a calm and cordial atmosphere.
Sources close to the meeting said the discussions ended on a positive note. Governor Fubara and Speaker Amaewhule were seen exchanging smiles and shaking hands—an indication that reconciliation may be underway.
Earlier in the week, Fubara had also met separately with the suspended Speaker and other aggrieved legislators in Abuja, in what observers described as part of the broader peace efforts being championed by the presidency.
