Siminalayi fubara (L), President Bola Tinubu (M), Nyesom Wike (R)

The lingering political crisis in Rivers State appears to be drawing to a close as Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara have reconciled following a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking after the late-night meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Wike disclosed that both factions had resolved their differences and agreed to work together moving forward.

“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor has also agreed to work with all of us,” Wike said. “We are members of the same political family – yes, just like humans, we all have disagreements, and then you also have the time to settle your disagreements, and that has been finally concluded today.”

Wike, who is a past governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria and a key political figure in the crisis, described the resolution as joyful and urged all stakeholders to unite for the state’s development.

“For me, everything is over and in joy – all of everybody who believes in working with us, to also work together with everybody – that there is no more acrimony,” he added.

Fubara, also present at the meeting along with suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, confirmed the reconciliation, stating that the development signals a return to peace in the state.

The meeting is the second known encounter between President Tinubu and Fubara since the president suspended the governor, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State Assembly in March 2025. At the time, Tinubu also declared a state of emergency in Rivers and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to oversee the state’s affairs, citing escalating tensions and violence.

The crisis, rooted in a power struggle between Wike and his former political protégé Fubara, had led to threats of impeachment, legislative divisions, and reported pipeline explosions. Lawmakers loyal to Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule, had accused the governor of failing to implement a Supreme Court ruling related to the crisis.

Tinubu justified his actions under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he could not ignore the deteriorating situation in the oil-rich state.

The suspension and imposition of emergency rule drew widespread criticism from across the political spectrum, including opposition figures such as Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

Despite the backlash, Tinubu maintained that his actions were in the best interest of national stability.

In recent weeks, there were signs of softening tensions. In early June, Fubara visited Tinubu at his residence in Lagos during the president’s extended stay in the city. Photos of the visit, shared by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, showed the suspended governor in a conciliatory mood.

The latest meeting culminated in handshakes, smiles, and group photos — a stark contrast to the previous months of accusations and political brinkmanship. While President Tinubu did not address the media after the meeting, there are strong indications that the state of emergency in Rivers may soon be lifted as peace talks bear fruit.