Wike, Fubara renew reconciliation push as Rivers political leaders meet again

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has led members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the 23 local government chairmen to a fresh meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara as efforts to consolidate reconciliation between the two political camps continue.

The meeting, held at Fubara’s private residence in Port Harcourt, comes less than two weeks after political leaders loyal to both men gathered at the same venue to advance efforts to resolve their prolonged differences.

Among those who accompanied Wike were Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state.

The latest engagement is part of ongoing efforts to restore political unity following the protracted dispute between Wike and Fubara, which divided the state’s political leadership and strained relations between the governor and lawmakers.

Wike had recently announced an end to the feud, saying Fubara had agreed to return to the political family that supported his emergence as governor.

Following the announcement, a reconciliation committee led by Magnus Abe, chairman of the Rainbow Coalition reconciliation committee, was constituted to engage the governor and his supporters.

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Fubara subsequently declared his support for the Rainbow Coalition and endorsed Chinda as his preferred successor in the 2027 governorship election.

The governor had initially been screened alongside Chinda for the APC governorship primary but later withdrew from the race, citing the need to promote peace and unity in Rivers State. Chinda subsequently emerged as the party’s sole governorship candidate.

The political disagreement between Wike and Fubara began shortly after the governor assumed office in 2023, triggering a prolonged crisis that divided the state assembly and created tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government.

The confrontation escalated in October 2023 when a fire damaged part of the assembly complex amid the dispute.

Lawmakers loyal to Wike subsequently initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, further deepening the political crisis.

The situation eventually culminated in President Bola Tinubu declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025. The move resulted in the suspension of the governor, his deputy and members of the state assembly.

The elected officials later returned to office following the conclusion of emergency rule.

The latest meeting signals continued engagement among the key political actors as they seek to sustain the reconciliation process and strengthen cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the durability of the rapprochement will depend on whether the renewed engagements translate into lasting political stability and cooperation among the state’s leadership.