The controversial peace pact between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, brokered by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the lingering political crisis in the state, has broken down.
The agreement followed a protracted crisis between Wike and Fubara, which culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025. The emergency rule, which lasted six months, saw the appointment of Ibok Etteh Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as sole administrator.
The first peace pact, brokered on December 18, 2023, was widely criticised by Nigerians, many of whom described it as lopsided and aimed at arm-twisting the governor.
The agreement, reached at a meeting attended by prominent figures, including former Rivers governor Peter Odili and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, reportedly imposed far-reaching conditions on Fubara.
These included the withdrawal of all court cases related to the crisis, the suspension of impeachment proceedings against the governor, and the recognition of the Rivers State House of Assembly leadership under Speaker Martin Amaewhule, alongside 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.
Other conditions required Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the Amaewhule-led Assembly, restore salaries and allowances of lawmakers and Assembly staff, resubmit the names of commissioners who had resigned, and nullify the dissolution of local government councils.
Despite the stringent terms, sources said Fubara initially showed a willingness to comply.
A former commissioner who spoke with Vanguard, “He told us he was willing to do anything for peace to return to the state. “He was optimistic that common ground would be found so Rivers could move forward.”
However, public backlash followed swiftly. Many Nigerians urged the governor to reject the agreement, describing it as a “Greek gift” and a “political death warrant.”
Fubara eventually discarded the pact, and hostilities between the two camps resumed.
As tensions escalated, Tinubu again convened another peace meeting in June 2025. This time, according to sources, the conditions were even more restrictive.
Fubara was allegedly asked not to nominate local government chairmen, to sack his Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, and to forgo any ambition for a second term.
Political analysts described the arrangement as an attempt to reduce the governor to a figurehead.
Political analyst, Lucky Bassey, who spoke with Vanguard, said, “This is not reconciliation or power-sharing; it is servitude. It seeks to strip a governor of his constitutional authority and political future.”
Is The Agreement Legally Binding?
Legal and political debates have since raged over whether the peace agreement is binding.
A former Rivers chief of staff argued that political agreements lack legal force. “Even where such agreements exist, a force majeure can negate them,” he said, adding that Fubara’s defection from the PDP to the APC effectively nullified any earlier pact.
Former House of Representatives member, Ogbonna Nwuke, said, “The minister is in the PDP, the governor is now in the APC. Whatever agreement they had cannot be binding anymore. You cannot deny anyone freedom of association as guaranteed by the Constitution.”
Nwuke further claimed that Wike’s recent political activities in Rivers were driven by fear and frustration. “If the APC gives Fubara an automatic ticket for a second term, Wike cannot stop it,” he added.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, January 8, the Rivers State House of Assembly escalated the crisis by commencing impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct.
Speaker Amaewhule said impeachment notices would be transmitted to the governor and his deputy within seven days.
According to the Assembly, the allegations include reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstruction of legislative activities, appointment of officials without proper screening, and the seizure of salaries and allowances due to the Assembly.