President Bola Tinubu met with suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in London in a private meeting aimed at resolving the prolonged political crisis rocking Rivers State. The meeting came shortly after the president returned from a trip to Paris.
Fubara, who was suspended in March following a state of emergency declaration, reportedly requested the meeting. During their discussion, he expressed a willingness to make compromises that could help him return to office and bring peace to the state.
There are ongoing negotiations that suggest Fubara’s suspension might be lifted before the six-month period ends. He is also believed to be considering switching his political allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which may shift the dynamics in the state’s political scene.
Notably absent from the talks was Fubara’s former political ally and mentor, Nyesom Wike. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Wike was unhappy about being left out of the discussions. His exclusion could be a sign of growing political distance between him and the governor he once backed.
Flashback to March 18, 2025, the crisis in Rivers State reached a boiling point when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency. The decision led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly. The federal government cited rising insecurity, including attacks on oil infrastructure, and an unresolved political standoff as reasons for the intervention.
As talks continue behind closed doors, President Tinubu is expected to mediate a follow-up meeting involving Fubara, Wike, and other key stakeholders from the state. The goal is to reach a peaceful resolution that will restore governance and stability in Rivers.
