- Further indications of reconciliation emerged as reports revealed that Governor Fubara later accompanied Wike to his Guzape residence
- The crisis deepened after a fire incident at the Assembly complex, which led to the demolition of the building
- the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly again issued an impeachment notice against Governor Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, left the Presidential Villa in Abuja together late Sunday night after a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a move widely seen as a possible step toward easing the long-running political tension in the state.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Presidency confirmed that although both men arrived at the Villa separately, they departed in the same vehicle following the President’s intervention.
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The gesture has fuelled speculation that the bitter feud between the two political heavyweights may be heading toward a resolution.
A senior official familiar with the meeting said the development was significant. “They didn’t come together.
The governor arrived first, and the minister came later. But after the meeting, they left together. That alone speaks volumes,” the source said.
Another Presidency insider confirmed that President Tinubu met with both men behind closed doors, describing the encounter as productive, though details of the discussion were not disclosed. “Yes, the meeting held last night. The President spoke with them. What was discussed remains private, but there was a settlement,” the official said.
Further indications of reconciliation emerged as reports revealed that Governor Fubara later accompanied Wike to his Guzape residence in Abuja after leaving the Villa.
The political fallout between Wike and Fubara, once close allies, began shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023.
Relations deteriorated rapidly, culminating in October 2023 when lawmakers aligned with Wike in the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The crisis deepened after a fire incident at the Assembly complex, which led to the demolition of the building and the relocation of legislative activities to a temporary venue.
The competing power blocs plunged the state into months of political uncertainty and administrative tension.
In December 2023, President Tinubu intervened and brokered a peace agreement that required Fubara to make concessions, including accommodating some of Wike’s loyalists in key political appointments. That truce, however, proved short-lived as hostilities soon resurfaced.
The standoff reached a climax on March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating insecurity and governance breakdown.
The declaration temporarily stripped the governor of executive authority and led to the appointment of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), as sole administrator.
Although emergency rule was lifted in September 2025 following another round of presidential mediation, political tensions in the state persisted.
In recent months, the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly again issued an impeachment notice against Governor Fubara.
Sunday night’s joint departure from the Villa is now being viewed as a strong symbolic signal that fresh efforts are underway to finally bring lasting peace to Rivers State’s turbulent political landscape.
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