There are significant indicators that the increasing political tensions in Rivers State over the impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, for alleged gross misconduct, may be resolved soon, as the two warring factions appear to be ready to bury the hatchet.
According to reports, the two major principal actors in the crisis, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and his estranged godson, Fubara, have shown a considerable sign of backing down after meeting with the peace and reconciliation committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) to proffer a solution to the crisis.
A reliable source disclosed that the seven-member peace committee, headed by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), referred to as the Agabi Peace Committee, initially convened with Wike in Abuja last Thursday, followed by a subsequent three-hour discussion with Fubara on Friday in Port Harcourt.
The committee, which previously convened with Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, the Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council and a close associate of the FCT Minister, also gathered with elders and leaders from the Wike and Fubara factions yesterday in Port Harcourt.
“So far, those meetings were very fruitful,” the source said, adding, “Don’t forget that before now people had made public statements. A lot of things were said, but the outcome of those meetings is very encouraging. I can say that there is hope. A real renewed hope. Rivers people respect this committee, and I will appeal to Nigerians to allow these illustrious sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region to do their work.”
The Agabi Committee was launched in Abuja last week to mediate between the two conflicting parties and submit its report within two weeks for subsequent action. The meeting with the elders in Port Harcourt is anticipated to yield a viable solution to resolve the political deadlock in the state.
The source indicated that had Wike and Fubara declined to meet with the committee, for example, “then there would have been a genuine reason to be afraid that the effort would not yield a positive result.” He emphasized, “But right now, things are going on very well, and there is every reason to hope for the best outcome.”
There may be a fresh reason why the lawmakers, including the four who earlier called for a political solution to the crisis, suddenly rescinded their earlier call for impeachment.
Investigations revealed that the lawmakers want to extract a genuine commitment from the governor that they would be given return tickets in the 2027 general elections.
“There is nothing like gross misconduct against the governor. What these people (lawmakers) want is the assurance that they will return to the Assembly next year. With this attitude of theirs to the governor, they are not sure of coming back. That is the assurance they want. That is the agreement they are talking about,” a key player who pleaded anonymity said.
“If you can recall, this whole problem started when Governor Fubara defected to the APC last December. They knew that the governor would have his automatic ticket in APC, and if they didn’t get that assurance, then they would be dead politically.
Wike also wants the same commitment from President Bola Tinubu. He wants to return as a minister. If Fubara wins a second term and Wike loses his appointment, he would be dead politically. The minister said so himself. That is why he is using the Assembly to press home his demand from the President.”
He disclosed that while the impeachment may not see the light of day beyond the level it has reached, “the minister no more has direct access to the president. He can only use the Assembly to bargain for his political future.”
