President Bola Tinubu is poised to reinstate Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the suspended state lawmakers by July 2025, following a reconciliation deal brokered between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The decision stems from a closed-door meeting held Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by Fubara, Wike, suspended Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and several lawmakers, according to Presidency sources cited by Newsbulletin Nigeria.
The Rivers State political crisis intensified in March 2025 when Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly, citing unchecked pipeline vandalism and security concerns. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed sole administrator, sparking debates over the move’s legality. The crisis originated in October 2023 from a power struggle between Fubara and Wike over control of the state’s political structures, leading to impeachment attempts by 27 pro-Wike lawmakers and violent incidents, including bombings at the Assembly complex and near the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt.
Previous peace efforts by Tinubu in October 2023 failed, and tensions escalated with a 2024 Supreme Court ruling reinstating Amaewhule as Speaker and nullifying Fubara’s local government elections. The pro-Wike faction issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Fubara to present the state budget, but he was barred from the Assembly complex.
Sources indicate Tinubu’s decision to reinstate Fubara this month, ahead of the emergency order’s September expiration, follows progress in reconciliation talks. “Fubara is happy with the peace brokered by the President,” a source said, noting recent cordial interactions between Fubara and Wike. Tinubu is expected to announce the reinstatement after returning from diplomatic visits to Saint Lucia and the BRICS Summit in Brazil (July 6–7).
The reconciliation agreement imposes significant conditions on Fubara: no second-term bid in 2027, no control over local government administration, and payment of outstanding allowances to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, who defected to the APC but retained their seats. Wike will reportedly nominate chairmen for all 23 local government areas, consolidating his grassroots influence. Impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Odu will be withdrawn.
Both leaders confirmed the resolution. Wike stated, “We have agreed to work together with the governor… peace has been concluded.” Fubara added, “With the President’s help, peace has returned, and we’ll sustain it.” As part of the deal, Fubara has dissolved his support groups, including the “Simplified Movement,” to reintegrate into Wike’s political structure, a move confirmed by PDP chieftain Ogbonna Nwuke, who noted the suspension reflects a return to unity under the “New Rivers Vision.”
Speculation about Fubara resigning post-reinstatement was dismissed by a Presidency source, clarifying that no such condition exists, though the agreement limits Fubara’s political influence to stabilise Rivers State.
