President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again intervened to halt the escalating political feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor and estranged political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, ordering an immediate suspension of impeachment moves against the governor under strict conditions.
The intervention followed months of failed reconciliation efforts that pushed Rivers State to the brink of impeachment, legislative paralysis, and prolonged political instability.
Highly placed sources told THISDAY that Tinubu acted shortly before departing for an official visit to Türkiye on January 26, laying down political terms aimed at restoring stability in the oil-rich state, which is widely regarded as critical to the president’s 2027 re-election calculations.
The president had earlier intervened in the crisis in December 2023, brokering a fragile peace that later collapsed. The breakdown eventually led to Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, during which Governor Fubara was suspended.
In the latest move to defuse one of Nigeria’s most combustible political crises, Tinubu reportedly ordered a halt to all impeachment actions against Fubara, while issuing a firm warning that continued hostilities would undermine governance and destabilise the state.
According to sources, Tinubu delivered a blunt message to Governor Fubara, insisting that Wike remains the undisputed political leader in Rivers State, regardless of party affiliation, and must be accorded due respect.
The president was also said to have instructed Wike to back off impeachment plots and allow governance to proceed, stressing that political rivalry should not be allowed to cripple the state.
Fubara and Wike’s relationship deteriorated within months of the governor’s swearing-in in May 2023, despite Wike’s pivotal role in engineering his emergence as successor. The rift deepened as Fubara sought to assert his independence, while Wike was accused of attempting to retain control of state affairs from Abuja.
The crisis polarised political actors in the state, with the majority of lawmakers aligning with Wike. This alignment repeatedly triggered impeachment threats against Fubara, leaving his administration under constant pressure.
Multiple reconciliation efforts failed to produce lasting peace, culminating in the declaration of emergency rule. While Wike’s camp accused Fubara of political ingratitude, the governor’s allies argued that Rivers State could not be governed remotely by a former governor now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Sources said Tinubu, drawing parallels with Lagos State politics, emphasised the importance of political hierarchy and respect for seniority.
“Is Babajide Sanwo-Olu my leader in Lagos, or was Babatunde Fashola my leader when he was governor?” the president was quoted as saying, underscoring his position that leadership and seniority are not erased by personal disagreements.
As part of the peace arrangement, Tinubu directed Wike and his supporters to immediately cease all impeachment-related actions. In return, Fubara was required to make significant concessions, including the formal recognition of Wike as the political leader in Rivers State, with final authority over party matters.
Sources said Tinubu stressed that all internal party disputes in the state must ultimately defer to Wike, despite the minister’s continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even as he serves in an APC-led federal government.
The agreement also covered the forthcoming Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections, with Tinubu directing the APC leadership to recognise candidates loyal to Wike for the two vacant seats.
INEC has scheduled the bye-elections for February 21, 2026, in Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies. The Ahoada East II seat became vacant following the resignation of Edison Ehie, now Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara, while the Khana II seat has remained vacant since the death of Dinebari Loolo in September 2023.
Sources disclosed that the issue of Fubara’s second-term ambition was briefly raised but deliberately set aside, with Tinubu reportedly describing discussions about the 2027 governorship election as premature.
