Tinubu Meets Wike, Fubara in Bid to Quell Rivers Political Crisis

ABUJA — In a high-stakes political intervention, President Bola Tinubu has convened a meeting with the two central figures in the Rivers State crisis: Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The closed-door talks, held at the Presidential Villa on Monday, represent a direct effort by the presidency to broker a truce in the months-long feud that has destabilized Nigeria’s oil-rich state.

A Third Attempt at Reconciliation

This meeting marks President Tinubu’s third known attempt to mediate between the estranged political allies since Governor Fubara assumed office. The deepening rift, stemming from a battle for control and influence in Rivers, has fractured the state’s politics and even triggered an impeachment notice against the governor.

A source within the Villa, who confirmed the meeting to journalists, underscored the President’s vested interest in a peaceful resolution. “Wike works for the President, Fubara is an APC governor. So, the President is interested in making sure there is peace between them,” the source stated.

The political landscape shifted significantly when Governor Fubara recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that increased the urgency for the party’s national leadership to ensure stability among its key stakeholders in the region.

Stakes High for Rivers Stability

The conflict has extended beyond personal rivalry, spilling into the legislative arm of government and creating a sharply polarized environment. The presidency’s mediation is widely viewed as a strategic move to restore calm ahead of crucial upcoming political activities in the state and nationally.

While the specific agenda and outcomes of the Abuja summit were not immediately disclosed, its occurrence alone signals the federal government’s prioritization of the crisis. “Yes, there was a meeting, but I don’t know what was discussed. Wike, Fubara and some leaders from the state met with the President,” the Villa source added.

The ongoing tensions between the governor and his former godfather have become one of the most closely watched political dramas in the country. Analysts suggest that a lasting resolution brokered by the President could reshape the political alignment of the entire South-South region, making these talks a critical juncture for the ruling party’s cohesion.