Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed hope that peace will return to the state following a reconciliation meeting with President Bola Tinubu and former governor Nyesom Wike.
The closed-door meeting, held Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis that has divided Rivers State’s leadership in recent months.
President Tinubu reportedly brokered a truce between Fubara and Wike, ending a prolonged standoff that had drawn national attention and disrupted governance in the state.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Fubara stressed the importance of unity for the state’s progress. “What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace,” he said. “By the special grace of God, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the state’s leaders, peace has returned to Rivers State.”
He added that efforts would be made to preserve the outcome of the talks. “We will do everything within our power to ensure that we sustain it this time around,” Fubara said.
The rift between Fubara and Wike, once political allies, escalated into a full-blown crisis that led to federal intervention earlier this year. President Tinubu had previously suspended Fubara and other key state officials, citing threats to stability.
The resolution of the conflict marks a significant development in efforts to restore order in the state, with observers hoping the agreement will lead to long-term reconciliation and improved governance.
While the full details of the agreement were not made public, both parties appeared satisfied with the outcome of the meeting facilitated by the presidency.
The Rivers State political crisis has been one of the most high-profile intra-party conflicts in recent Nigerian history, drawing concern from political stakeholders nationwide.
With both sides now pledging to work together, attention is expected to shift back to governance and development efforts in the state.