Rivers State: Fubara Urges Supporters To Embrace Peace Deal With Wike.
Suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara has called on his supporters to accept a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The announcement, made during a meeting with stakeholders of the Simplified Movement in Port Harcourt on 28 June 2025, marks a pivotal moment in restoring stability to the oil-rich state.
Speaking candidly to his supporters, Fubara acknowledged the personal and political toll of the feud with his former political mentor, Wike, but stressed the necessity of reconciliation for the state’s progress. “I’ve met him, and we have spoken. You can’t take away the fact that he’s hurt—he’s a human being. I also have my share of the pain,” Fubara said, emphasising that both parties had agreed to set aside differences for the greater good of Rivers State. He underscored the importance of unity, stating, “If we believe we are in one political family and our goal is to support the President, then what is the issue?”
The peace deal, facilitated by President Tinubu during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on 26 June 2025, saw Fubara, Wike, and the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, commit to ending hostilities. Wike confirmed the resolution, declaring, “We are members of the same political family. Peace has finally returned to Rivers State.” The minister acknowledged the inevitability of disagreements but hailed the agreement as a new beginning for the state.
Fubara, addressing concerns about the terms of the deal, admitted that the sacrifices required would be significant. “The sacrifice we are going to make to achieve this total peace is going to be heavy, and I want everybody to prepare for it,” he told supporters, urging them to prioritise the state’s development over personal grievances. He highlighted stalled projects as a casualty of the crisis, noting, “In the midst of this crisis, look at the projects we’ve initiated. Many have been abandoned. We know the progress we would have recorded.”
The reconciliation follows months of tension that escalated into a state of emergency in March 2025, with President Tinubu appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator. The feud, rooted in a power struggle between Fubara and Wike, had led to protests, conflicting court orders, and the suspension of key state officials. Despite earlier attempts at peace, including a December 2023 agreement, the crisis persisted until this latest intervention.
However, the deal has sparked mixed reactions. Some of Fubara’s supporters, including the Rivers Emancipation Movement and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, have labelled it a “surrender” rather than a genuine reconciliation, citing Wike’s alleged dominance in the agreement’s terms. Reports suggest Fubara agreed not to seek re-election in 2027 and to allow Wike to nominate local government chairpersons across the state’s 23 LGAs, prompting criticism from allies like former Commissioner Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa.
In contrast, Fubara’s special adviser on electronic media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, defended the truce, arguing it would usher in peace and development. He noted that the state’s social and economic fabric had been strained by the crisis and the subsequent emergency rule. Fubara himself expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, describing the intervention as a “divine” turning point for Rivers State.
The governor’s public appearance alongside Wike at a burial ceremony in Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor, further signalled a renewed commitment to collaboration. As Rivers State navigates this fragile truce, Fubara’s call for unity and forgiveness resonates as a plea for collective progress. “I can’t abandon you people,” he assured his supporters, pledging to uphold their trust despite the challenges ahead.
Residents are hopeful that this agreement will restore stability and revive stalled development projects. For now, the focus remains on sustaining the peace, with both leaders urged to prioritise the interests of Rivers State over personal or political ambitions.
