Fubara Sought Reconciliation, Says Wike Amid Rivers Political Crisis

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has confirmed that Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, recently visited him to seek reconciliation over their long-running political rift.

Wike and Fubara have been embroiled in a bitter power struggle since late 2023, a crisis that culminated in President Bola Tinubu declaring emergency rule in Rivers and suspending Fubara from office for six months. A sole administrator was subsequently appointed to oversee the state’s affairs.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike disclosed that Fubara visited him in April, accompanied by two governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Yes, he came with two governors and another person. Unfortunately, the two governors were from the APC. I wouldn’t pursue him. He said he wanted peace, and I said I wanted peace too,” Wike said.

However, the FCT minister emphasized that reconciliation is not merely about verbal expressions of peace. “There are steps to be taken. This is not just about saying ‘I want peace’ and walking away. There’s an open window—take the necessary steps to show that you genuinely want peace.”

Wike characterized the crisis as “self-inflicted” and recounted efforts by key political figures, including Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Dave Umahi, to caution Fubara early on. “We sat him down and told him, ‘This is not good for you. God has given you this opportunity—don’t allow others to push you,’” he added.

He also accused unnamed governors of influencing Fubara’s decisions and expressed skepticism about the suspended governor’s willingness or ability to lead a sincere reconciliation effort. “I told him, ‘Go this way, and you’ll avoid problems.’ But people told him to assert himself. Now the crisis has escalated.”

Wike questioned the value of emergency rule if no concrete efforts are made to address the root of the problem. “Who suffers in the end?” he asked. “It’s not just about resuming office. You have to meet the right people, take the right actions.”

In contrast, Fubara, speaking on Sunday, said he is not desperate to return to office. Nearly two months into emergency rule, he declared that his “spirit has left there” and acknowledged that the actions of some supporters had exacerbated the crisis.