In a bid to end the prolonged political turmoil in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday night hosted a crucial reconciliation meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, bringing together key political stakeholders at the heart of the conflict.
The closed-door session saw the attendance of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor Nyesom Wike, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The meeting comes in the wake of the March 18 declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, during which President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all state legislators in response to escalating political tensions and governance breakdown.
Presidency Pushes for Peace and Stability in Oil-Rich Rivers State
According to insider sources, the reconciliation effort was part of President Tinubu’s broader agenda to restore political stability and ensure effective governance in one of Nigeria’s most strategic and oil-rich states.
The political impasse in Rivers had led to deep divisions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, sparking legislative chaos and raising fears of a constitutional crisis. Multiple court battles, protests, and threats of impeachment have dominated the state’s political scene in recent months.
Tinubu Urges Unity, Governance Focus
Although the details of Thursday night’s discussions remain confidential, sources close to the meeting said President Tinubu appealed to all parties to set aside personal grievances and prioritize the interests of Rivers people.
“The President emphasized the need for unity, respect for constitutional order, and a renewed focus on development. He warned that continued political instability would only harm the state and damage the credibility of democratic institutions,” the source said.
Path to Reconciliation and Restoration
This is the second major intervention by President Tinubu in the Rivers crisis, following earlier attempts at mediation through party structures and national security advisories.
Analysts say the success of this meeting could determine the pace of political normalization in Rivers State and influence the 2027 general elections.
More updates are expected to follow as resolutions and commitments from the reconciliation meeting begin to take effect.
