Calm After The Storm: Wike Announces Reconciliation In Rivers

After a peace meeting mediated by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Thursday night, the two main figures in the Rivers State political crisis — FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara — have agreed to lay down their arms.

Following a closed-door reconciliation meeting with President Bola Tinubu — which included Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other key stakeholders — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced that all parties involved in the political crisis in Rivers had resolved to put their differences aside.

Wike, a former governor of the state, confirmed that a collective agreement was reached to cooperate with Governor Fubara in the interest of peace and unity. Emphasizing that disagreements are natural in any political family, he likened the situation to common disputes in human relationships, stating that now was the time for reconciliation.

“We’ve all agreed to work together with the governor, and he has committed to working with all of us. As members of the same political family, disagreements may arise, but there is also a time to make peace. That time is now. We’ve come to brief Mr. President that everything is resolved. The acrimony is over,” Wike stated.

Governor Fubara also spoke after the meeting, pledging to ensure peace prevails in the state. He expressed gratitude to God for the breakthrough and to President Tinubu for facilitating the resolution.

“This is a moment to thank Almighty God. Peace is essential for the progress of Rivers State, and with the help of Mr. President and our leaders, peace has returned. We will do everything possible to preserve it,” Fubara said.

The Thursday night meeting at the Presidential Villa was attended by other significant figures, including suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Hon. Major Jack, party chairmen of the APC and PDP in the state, Senator Magnus Abe, members of the National Assembly from Rivers, and top state government officials.

President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers in March 2025, citing increasing violence and a collapse of governance. The move, endorsed by the National Assembly, led to the appointment of former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd), as military administrator for an initial six-month term.