The protracted political crisis in Rivers State may finally be drawing to a close, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, confirmed on Thursday night that he and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have resolved their differences following a peace meeting brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family,” Wike said.

He described the months-long political feud as a normal human disagreement that has now been conclusively settled.

“Yes, just like humans, you disagree, and then you also have time to settle your disagreement. And that has been finally concluded today. So for me, everything is over,” he added, urging political supporters to remain calm and united.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara also confirmed the truce, hailing the peace accord as a moment of divine intervention and a critical step towards stabilizing Rivers State.

“For me, it’s a day we have to thank Almighty God. What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, our leader, peace has returned in Rivers State,” Fubara said.

He pledged his commitment to preserving the fragile unity achieved through President Tinubu’s intervention:

“We’ll do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.”

The feud between Wike and his political protégé, Governor Fubara, erupted shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023. Tensions escalated dramatically in October 2023 when lawmakers loyal to Wike in the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor.

In a move that further inflamed the crisis, Governor Fubara oversaw the demolition of the Assembly complex following a mysterious fire, forcing legislative sessions to relocate to temporary facilities.

Despite President Tinubu’s initial intervention in December 2023, which secured a fragile peace and led to concessions from Fubara, the truce collapsed, plunging Rivers State back into political turmoil.

On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing rising insecurity and a governance vacuum. He suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly for six months, appointing former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), as sole administrator of the state.