By Jeremy Fregene
The lingering political crisis in Rivers State appears to be nearing its end, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday met with suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, suspended Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other aggrieved lawmakers in the state.
The President is said to have reconciled the parties, paving the way for what might be Fubara’s return to office.
Before meeting with the President, Fubara had met with the lawmakers to make peace and ensure a united front when they meet the President. The meeting, held in Abuja, appears to be a breakthrough in the lingering political crisis that has rocked the state for months.
Sources close to the meeting informed our correspondent that the evening that the meeting was productive, with both Fubara and Amaewhule leaving the meeting venue in a cheerful mood.
This is coming less than 24 hours after the Senate approved the state’s 2025 budget, presented to it by State Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd).
Although Fubara had previously met with Tinubu and Wike, meeting with the lawmakers is perhaps the most important step toward lasting peace. Wike had always insisted that for any reconciliation to hold, Fubara must reach out to those he offended, particularly members of the State House of Assembly, whom he suspended and denied salaries and allowances for more than two years.
Fubara was suspended from office on 18 March after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, a move later approved by the National Assembly to stem the escalating political crisis in the state.
The president appointed former Naval Chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, as Administrator for an initial six months to allow the warring politicians to reconcile their differences.