On September 22, 2025, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara stepped into the Presidential Villa in Abuja for a private audience with President Bola Tinubu. Dressed in a white caftan and black cap, he arrived at 6:22 p.m., his first official visit since the federal government lifted the emergency rule that had suspended his administration for six months. In a brief press briefing after the meeting, Fubara announced that he and his predecessor, former governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, have made peace and will now collaborate on the state’s development agenda.
Background to the Crisis
The rift that led to the emergency began shortly after Fubara’s inauguration in May 2023. Disagreements over control of state resources, appointment powers, and political patronage pitted the young governor against Wike, who still commands a powerful faction within the state’s ruling party. The feud quickly spilled into the Rivers State House of Assembly, fracturing legislative cooperation and halting several key infrastructure projects.
By March 2025, the tension escalated to the point where President Tinubu invoked his constitutional authority, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and a majority of the assembly members. Retired Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ibas was installed as sole administrator to restore order. During the six‑month emergency, budget approvals stalled, oil revenue allocations were delayed, and community projects across Port Harcourt and the hinterland fell into limbo.
In June, Tinubu convened a high‑level meeting with Fubara, Wike, and other stakeholders, signaling a possible thaw. Yet the underlying mistrust lingered, and both leaders continued to maneuver for political dominance, leaving the state’s governance in a precarious balance.
Implications of the Reconciliation
Fubara’s declaration of peace carries immediate practical effects. First, it removes the political deadlock that has crippled the State House of Assembly, allowing bills on health, education, and infrastructure to move forward. Second, it re‑opens channels for federal assistance; with Tinubu’s backing, Rivers can now expect the release of previously withheld development funds.
Local business owners have welcomed the news, citing renewed confidence that oil‑related projects—such as the refinery expansion in Eleme and the ongoing Port Harcourt urban renewal—will resume without further bureaucratic snags. Community leaders, too, see an opportunity to address long‑standing grievances over land allocations and environmental remediation now that the two most influential state figures are ostensibly aligned.
From a national perspective, the reconciliation underscores Tinubu’s role as a political arbitrator. The president described the meeting as a "father‑to‑son" conversation, emphasizing guidance over coercion. By facilitating a settlement, Tinubu not only stabilizes a crucial oil‑producing region but also signals to other states that federal intervention can yield collaborative outcomes rather than perpetual conflict.
Critics, however, caution that rhetoric alone may not translate into lasting change. Observers point to past instances where public peace accords collapsed under the weight of entrenched rivalries. The true test will be whether joint initiatives—such as the promised road rehabilitation program and the reboot of the Rivers State University research facilities—materialize within the next few months.
For now, the atmosphere in Port Harcourt reflects cautious optimism. Streets that once echoed with protests over stalled projects are seeing renewed activity as contractors mobilize and civil servants return to their offices. Residents, still bearing the scars of a prolonged governance vacuum, are watching closely to see if the promised "working together for development" becomes more than just political theater.
