President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday night, hosted a high-stakes reconciliation meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in a bid to broker peace and restore stability in Rivers State, following months of deepening political tensions.
The closed-door meeting brought together key actors in the state’s political crisis, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike; Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule; as well as several members of the state legislature.
The gathering, which lasted several hours, is the most significant intervention by the Presidency since the crisis escalated earlier this year, culminating in President Tinubu’s declaration of a political emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. That declaration saw the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly — a move intended to de-escalate tensions and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Thursday’s talks focused on resolving the lingering rift between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike — a feud widely seen as the root of the crisis — as well as the legislative deadlock that has paralysed governance in the state. President Tinubu, according to sources familiar with the discussions, appealed for restraint and unity among the factions, urging all parties to prioritize the interest of the Rivers people above personal or political differences.
Also discussed were potential frameworks for restoring legislative and executive functions in the state, a return to constitutional order, and commitments to non-interference by external political forces.
The President’s intervention is viewed as a critical step towards averting further instability in the oil-rich state, which holds strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy and national cohesion. In recent months, the crisis had drawn widespread concern from civil society groups, business leaders, and diplomatic partners, all calling for a peaceful resolution.
Although no formal communiqué was issued after the meeting, insiders say parties have agreed to continue dialogue and uphold any resolutions reached under the guidance of the Presidency.
President Tinubu is expected to maintain close oversight on the situation, with further meetings and follow-up actions anticipated in the coming days.
