The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have initiated peace talks to resolve their longstanding feud.
Sources close to both parties confirmed that the two recently met at Wike’s residence in Abuja.
The mediation, headed by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and the current Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, marked the first step towards reconciling the political divide that has dominated Rivers State.
Fubara and Wike are expected to meet again soon to finish the reconciliation process.
According to a reputable source at the meeting who requested anonymity, the two governors had a lengthy talk during which Fubara apologised for previous conduct.
The report stated that Fubara, accompanied by the Ogun governors, “prostrated and begged the FCT Minister for forgiveness.”
Rivers State’s political crisis has been raging for about two years, owing mostly to the difficult relationship between Governor Wike and Fubara.
This standoff caused President Bola Tinubu to proclaim a state of emergency in the state on March 18, and retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as sole administrator.
This declaration was passed by the National Assembly on March 20, despite widespread public opposition.
In response to the state of emergency, 11 PDP governors filed a case before the Supreme Court, questioning the legitimacy of the move.
However, Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Timothy Osadolor, encouraged Fubara not to compromise the interests of Rivers State for personal gain.
Osadolor acknowledged the necessity of peace initiatives but warned that the state’s integrity should not be jeopardised for political considerations.
“The issue began as a personal dispute but escalated into a national matter, involving constitutional overreach,” Osadolor said. “If Fubara’s apology was out of respect for African tradition, that’s fine. But he must not sacrifice the interests of Rivers State for his own position.”
Osadolor also criticised Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency, calling it unjustified and constitutionally flawed.
He contended that Rivers State, which has enjoyed relative peace, was unfairly singled out for an emergency declaration while other states with more serious security concerns did not suffer such measures.
The All Progressives Congress, on the other hand, praised its leaders for their efforts in settling the issue.
Bala Ibrahim, APC Director of Publicity, expressed pride in the party’s leadership, underlining that the peace effort was not about politics but about bringing stability to Rivers State.
“For APCf leaders to broker peace shows our commitment to unity and good governance,” Ibrahim stated.
“Our party understands the importance of peace in governance and aims to promote peaceful coexistence, regardless of the individuals involved.”
