Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara have announced that their long-standing dispute has been settled after President Bola Tinubu brokered a new peace agreement.
President Tinubu hosted another reconciliation meeting between the two leaders on Thursday night in Abuja. The Speaker of the suspended Rivers House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers were also present at the closed-door meeting aimed at ending the state’s political crisis.
‘No More Acrimony’
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Wike said both camps had agreed to work together in unity.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family,” Wike stated.
He added that despite months of tension, the issues had now been resolved.
“Yes, just like humans, you have disagreements, and then you settle. That has been finally concluded today. For me, everything is over,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to embrace peace, declaring: “There’s no more acrimony.”
‘Peace Has Returned to Rivers’
Governor Fubara also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his intervention, stating that peace was essential for the state’s progress.
“For me, it’s a day to thank Almighty God. What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the Special Grace of God, with the help of Mr President and the agreement of the leaders, peace has returned in Rivers State,” he said.
He assured that the new peace agreement would be sustained.
“We’ll do everything within our power to sustain it this time around,” he pledged.
Background to the Crisis
The feud between Messrs Fubara and Wike began less than six months after Mr Fubara assumed office. The crisis split the state’s assembly into factions, with 27 lawmakers aligning with Mr Wike and three with Mr Fubara.
Following a Supreme Court ruling in February, which favoured Mr Wike’s faction, tensions escalated. The court also stopped federal allocations to Rivers State and nullified local council elections conducted by Mr Fubara’s administration.
On 14 March, the assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Mr Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over alleged misconduct, including unapproved spending and appointments.
In March, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, deputy governor, and assembly members, and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
While many Nigerians have criticised the imposition of emergency rule, the new peace deal offers hope for stability in the oil-rich state.
