President Bola Tinubu has successfully mediated a peace agreement between Rivers State’s suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, bringing an end to a prolonged political standoff that had crippled governance in the oil-rich state. The reconciliation meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday night, was attended by Fubara, Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Tinubu’s intervention has finally put to rest the months-long feud between the two leaders. Details of the agreement remain under wraps, but sources close to the presidency confirm that both Wike and Fubara have agreed to cease public confrontations and abide by the terms of the peace accord.
This development comes after a tumultuous period in Rivers State, marked by polarization of the legislature and the demolition of the state’s assembly complex. The crisis escalated to the point where Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, leading to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
Tinubu’s efforts to broker peace between the two leaders are not new. He had previously met with them in December 2023 in a bid to resolve their differences, but the meeting failed to yield the desired outcome. However, his latest intervention appears to have been more successful, with both parties signaling a willingness to put their differences aside.
The peace agreement is seen as a significant achievement for the Tinubu administration, particularly given the importance of Rivers State to Nigeria’s economy. Sources indicate that Tinubu emphasized the need for loyalty to constitutional order above personal interests, warning both sides that their rivalry was endangering national unity and the economy.
