President Bola Tinubu has reportedly agreed to reinstate Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State, but under strict conditions, including a commitment not to seek re-election in 2027.
The agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting held Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Present at the meeting were Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, Governor Fubara, suspended Rivers Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, and a select group of lawmakers, The Cable reports
Presidency sources described the outcome as a fragile truce, part of a broader attempt to restore order in the state following months of political turmoil.
A key term of the deal, insiders revealed, is that Fubara would be allowed to serve out his first term but must give up any ambition of running for a second term in 2027. “He agreed to it. That was the major compromise,” one source familiar with the talks said.
In return, Wike is to be granted significant political concessions, notably, the authority to appoint all 23 local government chairpersons in the state. According to a source within the presidency, “This gives Wike control at the grassroots, which is strategic for 2027.”
Additionally, Fubara has committed to paying outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike. These legislators, led by Amaewhule, had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but insisted on retaining their seats in the state assembly — a position that sparked intense legal and political debate.
In exchange, the lawmakers have agreed not to pursue impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Insiders familiar with the talks say the deal marks a major concession by Fubara, effectively reducing his political leverage in exchange for retaining his seat. “The arrangement is clear: no second term, no local government control, and peace will return,” a source said.
Another added, “The president was firm, Rivers cannot remain in crisis. This is a peace deal, but it comes at a high cost for Fubara.”
“Wike is the winner here,” the source noted. “By regaining control of the local governments, he reestablishes a strong grip on Rivers politics ahead of 2027.”
How it started between Fubara and Wike
The political crisis between Wike and Fubara of Rivers state, once allies, began shortly after Fubara’s inauguration in May 2023. By October, tensions escalated when lawmakers aligned with Wike moved to impeach the governor. The situation worsened after a mysterious fire incident led Fubara to demolish the Assembly building and relocate legislative activities.
Although President Tinubu brokered a temporary peace in December 2023, allowing Wike’s allies to take up key positions in Fubara’s government, the deal eventually unravelled. The breakdown led Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in March 2025, citing security breakdown and governance paralysis.
The president’s emergency action suspended Fubara’s executive powers for six months and appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), as sole administrator of the state.
Thursday’s renewed truce, backed by both leaders, now offers a fresh chance for stability in the troubled state.
