Fubara Promised Anything To Preserve Peace, Says Ex-Commissioner Amid Impeachment Drama

The contentious peace agreement between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara—brokered by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the state—has collapsed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The pact was initially forged following a prolonged standoff between Wike and Fubara, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025. During the six-month emergency, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Etteh Ibas was appointed as sole administrator of the state.

The first peace deal, struck on December 18, 2023, drew widespread criticism, with many Nigerians labeling it one-sided and aimed at undermining the governor’s authority. The agreement, reached in a meeting attended by notable figures such as former Rivers governor Peter Odili and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, imposed extensive conditions on Fubara.

These conditions reportedly included the withdrawal of all court cases related to the crisis, suspension of impeachment proceedings, recognition of the Rivers State House of Assembly leadership under Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 27 Wike-aligned lawmakers, re-presentation of the 2024 budget to the Assembly, restoration of salaries and allowances for lawmakers and staff, resubmission of commissioner nominations, and nullification of dissolved local government councils.

Sources indicated that Fubara initially expressed willingness to comply. A former commissioner told Vanguard, “He told us he was willing to do anything for peace to return to the state. He was optimistic that common ground would be found so Rivers could move forward.”

However, public backlash quickly emerged, with many describing the agreement as a “Greek gift” and a “political death warrant.” Fubara ultimately rejected the pact, reigniting tensions between the camps.

As the crisis escalated, President Tinubu convened another peace meeting in June 2025, this time reportedly imposing even stricter conditions. Fubara was allegedly asked not to nominate local government chairmen, to dismiss his Chief of Staff, Dr. Edison Ehie, and to abandon any ambitions for a second term—moves analysts described as attempts to reduce the governor to a ceremonial figure.

Political analyst Lucky Bassey commented, “This is not reconciliation or power-sharing; it is servitude. It seeks to strip a governor of his constitutional authority and political future.”

Legal Validity of the Pact

Debate has since surrounded whether the peace deal is legally binding. A former Rivers chief of staff noted that political agreements carry no legal force, arguing that circumstances such as Fubara’s defection from the PDP to the APC nullified any prior arrangement.

Former House of Representatives member Ogbonna Nwuke added, “The minister is in the PDP, the governor is now in the APC. Whatever agreement they had cannot be binding anymore. You cannot deny anyone freedom of association, as guaranteed by the Constitution.” Nwuke further suggested that Wike’s recent political moves in Rivers were motivated by fear and frustration, stating, “If the APC gives Fubara an automatic ticket for a second term, Wike cannot stop it.”

Fresh Escalation

On Thursday, January 8, the Rivers State House of Assembly intensified the crisis by initiating impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing alleged gross misconduct.

Speaker Amaewhule stated that impeachment notices would be delivered to the governor and his deputy within seven days. The allegations include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of legislative functions, appointment of officials without proper vetting, and withholding of salaries and allowances due to the Assembly.