Tinubu Brokers Peace as Wike, Fubara, and Rivers Lawmakers Reunite After Months of Turmoil

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has successfully ended the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, reuniting Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the embattled House of Assembly members during a late-night meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, June 27, 2025.

The reconciliation, confirmed by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga via his verified X handle, marks a significant political milestone after months of tension that saw Tinubu declare a State of Emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025. The declaration had followed escalating hostilities between Wike and Fubara, who had clashed over control of the state’s political and administrative machinery.

Thursday’s meeting followed earlier closed-door talks between the key actors, reportedly mediated by top presidency aides. President Tinubu’s intervention was widely seen as a final attempt to prevent further destabilization in the oil-rich state. Onanuga described the President’s effort as “another decisive move for peace,” echoing a similar deal brokered in December 2023.

At the heart of the crisis was a fierce power struggle between Wike, Fubara’s political godfather, and the governor himself, which led to the mass resignation of commissioners, legislative gridlock, and public unrest. Matters escalated in March when Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire State Assembly. He then appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as interim administrator.

Photos released from the Villa showed Wike, Fubara, and House Speaker Martins Chike Amaewhule shaking hands, symbolizing the end of the bitter standoff. A source close to the Villa disclosed that “the body language after the meeting spoke volumes—the tension is over.”

The peace deal is expected to restore stability to Rivers, a state that plays a critical role in Nigeria’s economy. Analysts say the agreement might also redefine power dynamics ahead of 2027, as Tinubu continues to assert control over intra-party conflicts threatening the cohesion of the ruling APC.

With the crisis now reportedly resolved, attention turns to how quickly suspended governance structures will be restored and whether the truce will hold under public and political pressure. Tinubu’s latest peace push reinforces his role as a power-broker-in-chief—but observers remain cautious, knowing Nigerian politics is rarely short of fresh drama.