Fresh revelations have emerged around the prolonged political crisis rocking Rivers State, with insider accounts suggesting that fear of political extinction, power calculations ahead of 2027, and behind-the-scenes negotiations are at the heart of the escalating showdown between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
As impeachment threats against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, continue to dominate the political landscape, strong indications now suggest that the bitter standoff may soon give way to a negotiated settlement, following the intervention of a high-powered peace committee led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
Inside Sources: Fear, Survival and Political Bargaining
According to highly placed political sources familiar with the crisis, the impeachment push is less about alleged “gross misconduct” and more about political survival on multiple fronts.
“Wike is scared of his political career if Fubara wins a second term,” one insider disclosed. “He wants to return as a minister, and if Fubara secures another term while Wike loses his federal appointment, that could be the end of his influence. That is why he is using the Assembly as leverage to force negotiations.”
The source further revealed that the FCT Minister no longer enjoys the level of direct access to President Bola Tinubu that he once had, making the Rivers State House of Assembly his strongest bargaining chip in pressing demands tied to his political future.
On the other side of the divide, lawmakers in the state Assembly—many of whom are perceived as loyal to Wike—are also said to be acting out of fear of losing their seats in 2027.
“There is no real gross misconduct,” a key political player said. “What the lawmakers want is a clear assurance that they will get return tickets in the next elections. With the way things stand, they are not confident the governor will support them.”
Defection Fallout and Legislative Anxiety
Investigations indicate that tensions escalated sharply after Governor Fubara defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025. His move altered the political calculations in the state, especially among lawmakers who suddenly found themselves uncertain of their relevance in the new political order.
“Once Fubara moved to the APC, it became clear that he would likely enjoy an automatic ticket for a second term,” a source explained. “For lawmakers without guarantees, that was a red flag. Politically, they felt exposed.”
This anxiety reportedly fueled renewed impeachment threats, despite earlier indications that some legislators were open to a political solution.
Agabi Peace Committee Steps In
Against this backdrop, the intervention of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has injected a fresh dose of optimism into the volatile situation. PANDEF recently constituted a seven-man peace and reconciliation committee chaired by Chief Kanu Agabi, widely respected across political divides in the Niger Delta.
The committee began its work last week in Abuja, first meeting with Minister Wike on Thursday before holding a three-hour closed-door session with Governor Fubara in Port Harcourt on Friday. It also engaged the Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, and other key elders and political leaders aligned with both camps.
“So far, the meetings have been very fruitful,” a source close to the talks told reporters. “Before now, there were public statements and heated rhetoric, but what is happening now is encouraging. There is renewed hope.”
The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks, with stakeholders expressing confidence that its recommendations could finally bring an end to the protracted impasse.
APC Weighs In, Warns of Legal and Political Fallout
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the APC has raised the alarm over what it described as a “choreographed legislative coup d’état,” urging the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to obey a subsisting court order restraining him from acting on the impeachment request.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had announced on Friday that it had written to the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man panel to probe allegations against the governor and his deputy. However, the APC insists that a state High Court injunction explicitly bars such action.action.