President Bola Tinubu on Thursday night hosted a high-level meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers from the state, in a renewed effort to end the protracted political crisis that has rocked the oil-rich state.
The closed-door meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja is another high profile and inclusive meeting the President would be having with all parties in the crisis since the crisis between the governor and his predecessor escalated late last year.
The crisis led to the suspension of Fubara and a declaration of a state of emergency for six months, which has been heavily criticised.
Thursday’s engagement appeared to signal a possible breakthrough in reconciliation efforts, as photographs released after the talks showed the president, Governor Fubara, and Minister Wike in cordial conversation and sharing smiles.
The lingering crisis stems from a fallout between Governor Fubara and the state assembly, largely dominated by lawmakers loyal to Minister Wike.
The rift led to impeachment attempts, parallel legislative sittings, and a breakdown in executive-legislative cooperation in the state.
Though a peace deal was brokered by President Tinubu in December 2023, implementation stalled, with both factions accusing each other of bad faith.
Thursday’s meeting is widely seen as part of renewed efforts by the presidency to restore stability ahead of restoring democratic governance.
