RIVER: Wike leads lawmakers and LG chairmen on a reconciliation visit to Fubara

In what is seen as a continuation of reconciliation talks following the return of peace in Rivers State, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday led members of the State Council and local government leaders in the state to meet with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The meeting took place at the governor’s private residence in Port Harcourt, marking the first time Wike visited the governor’s private residence.

The meeting comes about two weeks after Wike led members of the Rainbow Coalition in the state, including the All Progressives Congress candidate for the 2027 general election, Kingsley Chinda, to meet the governor.

Wike led a delegation consisting mostly of members of the state legislature, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and chairmen of the 23 local government areas in the state, to meet Fubara and his supporters.

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The APC standard bearer for the 2027 elections in the state, Kingsley Chinda, was also part of the delegation.

Details of the private meeting were not immediately known, but sources said the meeting was aimed at continuing previous discussions, strengthening reconciliation efforts and finding ways to accommodate Fubara loyalists in the emerging political landscape in the state.

Fubara and the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly have been at loggerheads for over two years following a long-running dispute between the governor and his predecessor, Wike.

At the height of the crisis, lawmakers made two attempts to impeach the governor before President Bola Tinubu intervened.

In October 2023, amid rising tensions between the two political camps, a section of the state House of Assembly complex along Moscow Street was bombed.

The crisis attracted renewed attention from Tinubu, who declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025 for an initial period of six months.

The action led to the temporary suspension of the governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Representatives.

Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as state administrator during that period. The elected official then returns to office.