The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, recently paid a private visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at his Abuja residence in what sources described as a dramatic plea for reconciliation, PREMIUM TIMES reports
The visit, which reportedly occurred on Friday, 18 April, came just days after Mr Fubara met with President Bola Tinubu in London to address the deepening political crisis in Rivers State. That crisis culminated in President Tinubu declaring a state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspending Mr Fubara and other elected officials for an initial six months.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that Mr Fubara was led to the meeting with Mr Wike by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Ogun governor Olusegun Osoba.
“Fubara was brought to the minister’s house on Friday, 18 April. He prostrated for Wike while holding his legs and calling him, ‘My Oga’,” a source who witnessed the interaction told PREMIUM TIMES. “He remained in Wike’s house until the early hours of Saturday, 19 April.”
Although the details of the discussion remain undisclosed, insiders say Mr Fubara was advised to return to Rivers State and address elders and supporters, shedding light on the real issues behind his feud with Mr Wike.
When contacted, Lere Olayinka, a spokesperson for Mr Wike, confirmed that the meeting took place but said he was unaware of the outcome. Mr Fubara’s spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, declined to comment and referred inquiries to the state’s commissioner for information, Joseph Johnson, who did not respond to calls.
The crisis between Mr Fubara and his predecessor, Mr Wike, erupted just months into Fubara’s tenure and led to a major split in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The rift created two factions: one consisting of 27 lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike and another comprising three members allied with Mr Fubara. The governor had recognised the three-member faction, arguing that the others had forfeited their seats by defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a Supreme Court ruling on 28 February 2025 reversed Mr Fubara’s actions. The apex court reinstated the Wike-aligned lawmakers as the legitimate assembly, halted federal allocations to Rivers State, and annulled local elections conducted under Mr Fubara’s administration.
Subsequently, on 14 March, the Rivers Assembly served an impeachment notice to both Mr Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, accusing them of gross misconduct. The allegations include unauthorized spending of state funds, appointing officials without legislative screening, and obstructing the assembly’s constitutional duties.
The lawmakers also accused Mr Fubara of withholding financial entitlements of the assembly members and their staff. Deputy Governor Odu was similarly accused of collaborating in the alleged illegal appointments.
These developments came shortly after Mr Fubara removed elected local government chairpersons in compliance with the Supreme Court decision—an act many saw as a concession to the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the federal government’s imposition of emergency rule and the suspension of elected officials have drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians who view the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
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