In a significant development that may signal a thaw in Rivers State’s recent political tensions, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, met on Saturday with prominent members of the Rivers State Elders Council in Port Harcourt.
The closed-door meeting, held amid ongoing political maneuverings and speculation about divisions within the state’s leadership, was also attended by Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba.
Photos from the gathering surfaced on Sunday morning, shared by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to the FCT Minister, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Olayinka described the meeting as a demonstration of unity among key political stakeholders in Rivers State, writing:
“FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other leaders in a meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday. The political family is fully united.”
While the details of their discussions were not made public, the presence of top political figures at the meeting is seen as part of renewed efforts to strengthen political cohesion, build consensus, and stabilize the political environment in Rivers State following months of heightened tension between rival factions.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of a political rift that has seen Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, at the center of intense public scrutiny over control of the state’s political structure. Observers believe the latest engagement with Rivers elders could be aimed at reconciliation and power-sharing arrangements to prevent further escalation.
Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, a respected elder statesman, was seen engaging both leaders in discussions, underscoring the elders’ ongoing role as mediators and peace brokers in the state’s political landscape.
Political analysts say Saturday’s meeting could mark a turning point in efforts to restore peace and stability in Rivers, potentially paving the way for a more united political front ahead of future governance and electoral challenges.
