Wike, Rivers Lawmakers and 23 LG Chairmen Meet Fubara in Fresh Reconciliation Move

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has led members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the state’s 23 local government chairmen to a closed-door meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt, in what appears to be another effort to ease the state’s prolonged political crisis.

The meeting reportedly took place at Fubara’s residence on Sunday evening. Its official agenda was not immediately known, but the gathering brought together key figures from the rival political camps and members of the Rainbow Coalition.

The delegation included lawmakers led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the 23 local government chairmen and other political figures aligned with Wike. Kingsley Chinda was also named among those present and described in the report as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the 2027 elections.

The visit was reportedly the first time Wike and the lawmakers had met Fubara at his residence. It followed an earlier meeting in which Wike led members of the Rainbow Coalition, including Chinda, to engage with the governor as part of efforts to improve relations between the camps.

Although neither side publicly disclosed the details of Sunday’s discussions, reports indicated that the talks were intended to build on reconciliation efforts and explore ways to accommodate Fubara’s supporters within the political arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.

Those present were later seen exchanging greetings and shaking hands in a video recorded at the residence. Amaewhule and other lawmakers greeted Fubara as “Your Excellency”, while the governor acknowledged them before joining Wike and the other visitors for a group photograph.

The meeting comes after more than two years of political tension between Fubara and lawmakers aligned with Wike, his predecessor as Rivers governor. The dispute led to two reported attempts by lawmakers to impeach Fubara before President Bola Tinubu intervened and declared a state of emergency in the state, resulting in the suspension of the governor and other officials.

Despite previous reconciliation efforts, questions remain about the political future of Fubara and the balance of power within the state. Wike has reportedly opposed a second-term bid by the governor and backed Chinda for the 2027 contest. Sunday’s meeting may signal renewed efforts to bring the rival groups together, but no formal agreement or change in political positions was confirmed in the report.