Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says the dispute between him and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been resolved, following a peace meeting hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Wike, who spoke after the closed-door session attended by Fubara, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and other political leaders, said both parties had agreed to end their differences and work together for the progress of Rivers State.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us,” Wike said. “We are members of the same political family. Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have time to settle your disagreement, and that has been finally concluded today.
“We have come to report to Mr. President, that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over. There’s no more acrimony.
”Governor Fubara also confirmed the outcome of the meeting, stating that an understanding had been reached to prioritise peace in Rivers State.
“What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of the President and the agreement with leaders of the state, peace has returned,” Fubara said.
“We’ll do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.”The reconciliation effort comes three months after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State Assembly.
The President appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator during that period.The truce follows an earlier peace accord brokered by Tinubu in December 2023, which later collapsed amid renewed hostilities and legal battles between opposing factions within the state’s political structure.
In a statement posted on social media, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Thursday meeting reflected the President’s continued commitment to stability in the oil-rich state.
“Just like he brought together the political gladiators to sign a peace deal in December 2023, he repeated the same on Thursday night,” Onanuga said.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated once again that he wants peace for Rivers State.”
