After months of fierce political rivalry and instability in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have officially declared that peace has returned, putting an end to a prolonged and bitter feud that threatened the governance and unity of the oil-rich state.
The reconciliation was sealed during a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday night, where both leaders and other key stakeholders reached a consensus to collaborate for the state’s progress.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, expressed relief and gratitude, saying the impasse had finally been resolved.
“I want to give God the glory that today, the 26th of June 2025, peace has finally returned to Rivers State,” Wike said.
“We all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family.”
Wike acknowledged that disagreements are a natural part of political life but emphasized that the time for healing and cooperation had arrived.
“Just like humans, you have disagreements. But there is always a time to settle those disagreements. That has been concluded today. We have come to report to Mr President that we have all agreed. There is no more acrimony,” he added.
Governor Fubara, who was at the center of the political storm due to growing tension with Wike and factions within the Rivers State House of Assembly, echoed the same sentiment of reconciliation and hope.
“For me, it’s very important that this day has come,” Fubara said.
“What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace. And by the special grace of God, with the help of Mr President and the agreement of our state’s leaders, peace has returned.”
The governor described the resolution as a turning point for governance, pledging to do everything in his capacity to sustain peace and restore confidence in leadership across the state.
“This is the foundation for stability, development, and the future of Rivers State. We’re moving forward,” Fubara assured.
Background: A Crisis That Shook Rivers State
The crisis, which had escalated over the past several months, saw sharp divisions between Governor Fubara and political structures loyal to Wike, including members of the state legislature. The fallout led to legislative paralysis, public confrontations, and heightened political tension across the state.
At one point, reports surfaced that President Tinubu had intervened by suspending both the governor and the entire House of Assembly—a move seen as part of broader efforts to calm the situation and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Thursday’s peace meeting marks the first public show of unity between the feuding parties, with images of Wike and Fubara standing side-by-side and smiling widely already making rounds on social media, drawing mixed reactions from political observers and citizens.
As Rivers State begins a new chapter of cooperation, the spotlight now shifts to how both leaders will translate reconciliation into real governance, address developmental delays, and rebuild trust among a politically fractured populace.
President Tinubu, whose quiet diplomacy and mediation efforts were key to the truce, is expected to monitor the situation closely as part of his ongoing campaign to stabilize political tensions in states critical to the country’s economic and political stability.
