Rivers political crisis: Tinubu, Fubara discuss way forward

In a significant move to resolve the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently met with the suspended governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, in London, credible sources have revealed.

According to insiders familiar with the development, the meeting took place last week, shortly after Tinubu’s official engagements in Paris.

The encounter, which was reportedly initiated at Fubara’s request, signals a potential softening of tensions in the oil-rich state, where political instability had prompted the federal government to declare a state of emergency.

Sources close to the presidency disclosed that Fubara, desperate to regain control and return to full office, reached out for a private audience with Tinubu.

During the London talks, Fubara reportedly expressed willingness to make several concessions to facilitate peace and potentially secure his reinstatement ahead of the six-month suspension deadline.

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“Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” an adviser to the president said, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

In a further twist, another senior aide to the president confirmed that Fubara is considering a defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of his strategy to secure political protection and favor from the presidency.

“If Fubara joins the APC, it significantly boosts the president’s chances of consolidating political control in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections,” the aide noted.

Fubara’s potential alignment with the APC would be a major political coup for Tinubu, as Rivers State remains a strategic battleground with considerable electoral influence.

Interestingly, the meeting reportedly took place without the knowledge or involvement of Fubara’s estranged political benefactor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Sources say Wike, who was instrumental in Fubara’s rise to power, is uncomfortable with the secret negotiations, which threaten to diminish his influence in Rivers politics.

However, President Tinubu is said to be planning to broker a broader reconciliation meeting involving Fubara, Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The aim, according to insiders, is to forge a lasting solution to the political deadlock that has paralyzed governance in the state.

The political crisis in Rivers State reached a climax late last year when internal party disputes and allegations of betrayal between Fubara and Wike led to an all-out confrontation, culminating in legislative and executive showdowns.

The unrest escalated to the point where the federal government intervened, citing threats to national security and economic stability given Rivers’ importance to Nigeria’s oil revenues.

With the latest developments, hopes are rising that a negotiated settlement could soon return stability to the state, although much will depend on the outcome of ongoing negotiations and whether key players, particularly Wike, are willing to compromise.