Federal Capital Territory Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the long-standing political feud between him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been resolved following a peace meeting facilitated by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Speaking to reporters after the closed-door session at the Presidential Villa on Thursday night, Wike announced that both factions had agreed to end hostilities and collaborate going forward.
“We’ve all agreed to work together with the governor, and he has agreed to work with all of us. We are part of the same political family,” Wike stated.
He acknowledged the prolonged crisis but described Thursday’s resolution as final.
“Disagreements happen among people, but there’s also a time to make peace. That has now happened, and we came to inform Mr. President of our decision. For me, everything is now settled,” he added.
Wike also urged political supporters to maintain peace, stating, “I call on everyone who believes in this cause to work with us. There’s no more acrimony; there’s nothing left to say.”
Governor Siminalayi Fubara confirmed the truce, calling it a divine breakthrough and a vital moment for Rivers State.
“This is a day to thank Almighty God. For me, this moment is very important,” Fubara said.
He stressed the necessity of peace for the state’s growth, adding, “What we need for Rivers State to move forward is peace. Tonight, with the help of Mr. President and our leaders, peace has returned to the state.”
Fubara further pledged to uphold the peace achieved through the presidential intervention.
“We’ll do everything within our ability to sustain this peace,” he assured.
The conflict between Wike and Fubara—his political protégé—erupted soon after Fubara took office in May 2023. Tensions escalated in October when pro-Wike lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
The situation worsened when Fubara ordered the demolition of the Assembly complex following a suspicious fire outbreak, relocating legislative activities to an alternate site.
What followed was a full-blown governance crisis. In December 2023, President Tinubu intervened and brokered a temporary truce, during which Fubara made political concessions by appointing some of Wike’s loyalists.
However, the peace deal collapsed, prompting President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2025.
The declaration temporarily suspended Fubara’s executive powers for six months, citing security breakdown and administrative dysfunction.
A sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed to steer the state during the emergency period.
The emergency rule was for six months, which means that it will terminate in September.
Now that reconciliation of the warring parties has taken place, it is not clear if the president will allow the emergency rule to run its full course.
