. May declare for APC
. Reportedly meets Tinubu in London
Suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has reportedly met with President Bola Tinubu as part of his plans to douse political tensions in the South-South state and ease his way back to power.
Fubara was suspended on 18 March after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State over escalating violence, which had resulted in attacks on oil and gas facilities in the state.
Since his suspension, Fubara has reportedly been desperate to return to office and is said to have informed his closest associates of his willingness to make major concessions to make that happen.
As part of the concessions, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, governor is reportedly considering a move to the president’s All Progressives Congress, APC, to solidify relations with the centre.
His planned defection is also to assure Tinubu of his full support for federal policies and plans, and to support the president’s reelection in 2027.
Africa Report, a Paris based magazine, quoted inside sources as revealing that President Tinubu and Fubara met behind closed doors, “and have reportedly engaged in quiet diplomacy that could reshape the region’s leadership.”
The magazine reported that two aides to the president confirmed that the meeting took place in London last week, shortly after Tinubu left Paris. The meeting, it was learnt, was at the request of Governor Fubara.
“It is true. Governor Fubara held a private meeting with the president last week. Fubara has promised to make some compromises. Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” an adviser to the president reportedly told Africa Report.
Another presidential aide said Fubara was also open to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” he said.
Crisis broke out in Rivers State over the face off between Fubara and his estranged political godfather, former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, who is Tinubu’s minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
During the crisis, the State House of Assembly became the proxy battleground for both men, as Fubara used his considerable powers as governor to get the four assembly members loyal to him to suspend 24 others loyal to Wike.
The governor proceeded to administer the state, and pass the budget and other key legislations with his four assembly members.
The Supreme Court however in a suo moto decision, knocked Fubara’s contraption sprawling, and reinstated Wike’s men, thereby setting the stage for the governor’s impeachment.
Not long after the Assembly commenced preliminary proceedings for Fubara’s impeachment, the major attacks on oil facilities happened back to back, plunging Nigeria’s production by nearly 500,000 barrels per day.
Nigeria relies on oil receipts for about 60% of government revenue and 90% of its foreign exchange.
In swift move, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and followed up by appointing former naval chief , Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the sole administrator with full executive powers.