Suspended Rivers State’s Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his estranged godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and members of the House of Assembly have declared an end to their prolonged political battle back home.
They jointly spoke to reporters about the agreed ceasefire while emerging from a meeting at Aso Rock with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja on Thursday night.
The resolution of the crisis followed that meeting between them and Tinubu.
Exiting the meeting, all gladiators said they had reached a truce, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu successfully reuniting them.
“We have all agreed to work together with the Governor, and the Governor has agreed to work with all of us. For me, everything is over,” Wike said.
Governor Fubara also expressed optimism about the renewed peace in the state, assuring that the reconciliation would be sustained for the sake of Rivers people. “Peace has returned to Rivers State. We will do everything in our power to make sure we sustain it this time around,” the Governor stated.
The peace meeting comes after months of political tension in Rivers, marked by confrontations between supporters of both leaders.
Confirming the meeting, Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga (Special Adviser Information and Strategy), tweeted:
“Thursday night surprise: A joint appearance, handshakes, and smiles. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara declared the war “over.” But in the theater of Nigerian politics, is peace ever really just peace… or is it simply the eye of a more strategic storm?”
The duo additionally spoke after the meeting, saying in an interview with Sunday Moses, President Tinubu’s official videographer.
Wike: We have all agreed to work together. Everything is over. We are members of the same political family. As humans, we have disagreements. We also have time to settle the disagreements. There is no more acrimony. Everything is over. It’s a day we have to thank the Almighty.
Fubara: It’s important that this day has come. What we need in Rivers is peace. We shall do everything in our power to sustain peace in Rivers State.
The impasse led to a series of litigations with the Supreme Court resolving the case in favour of the lawmakers.
But, the Supreme Court resolution sparked another round of crisis with the lawmakers and Wike threatening to impeach the Governor.
In March, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State after the situation threatened to get out of hand, suspending the Governor, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly.
The President also nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the State.
The opponents’ meeting with the President yesterday followed an earlier one between the suspended Governor, the FCT Minister and the lawmakers.
