After months of high-stakes political drama and a tense state of emergency in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu has reportedly finalized plans to reinstate suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly later this month.
According to Presidency sources, the decision follows a breakthrough reconciliation meeting held Thursday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, involving President Tinubu, Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, suspended House Speaker Martin Amaewhule, and several lawmakers from both camps.
The Rivers crisis, which exploded in March 2025 when Tinubu suspended the governor and the state legislature over worsening security and political unrest, now appears headed for resolution — though not without tough compromises.
Background to the Political Turmoil
Trouble in Rivers began in October 2023 with a bitter power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor-turned-political rival, Wike. The fallout saw 27 pro-Wike lawmakers initiate impeachment proceedings against Fubara, triggering months of violent unrest, including arson attacks, protests, and bombings around Port Harcourt.
President Tinubu intervened twice in 2023, but peace deals repeatedly collapsed. A state of emergency was eventually declared in March 2025, with a sole administrator appointed to manage the oil-rich state.
The crisis intensified through 2024 and early 2025, marked by court battles, budget standoffs, and fierce control struggles over local government administration and state institutions.
The Final Peace Accord
Multiple Presidency insiders confirmed the new agreement will see Fubara serve out his term but forgo any 2027 re-election bid. In exchange, pro-Wike lawmakers will drop all impeachment moves, and Fubara has reportedly agreed to pay outstanding allowances to the 27 defected lawmakers.
Critically, Wike is said to have secured the power to nominate all 23 local government chairmen, effectively restoring his grassroots dominance.
Though some speculated Fubara’s reinstatement would be conditional on his resignation, presidency officials denied this, affirming that while terms were agreed, no such clause exists.
“The President made it clear Rivers cannot afford a prolonged crisis. The deal is about restoring calm — but it comes at a steep cost for Fubara,” a senior aide reportedly said.
Fubara Dissolves Political Support Groups
In a symbolic move signaling political realignment, Governor Fubara has reportedly ordered the dissolution of his political support networks, the “Simplified Movement” and “Simplified Elders,” originally formed in defiance of Wike’s camp.
PDP chieftain and former lawmaker Chief Ogbonna Nwuke confirmed the move, noting it marks a return to unity within the state’s ruling political family.
“Now that peace has returned, there has to be reintegration. That is what it means. We were all part of the New Rivers Vision,” Nwuke told reporters.
President Tinubu, currently on a diplomatic visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil, is expected to formally announce Fubara’s reinstatement upon his return later this month.
