President Bola Tinubu met on Monday night with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and other political stakeholders in Abuja as part of efforts to address the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, Vanguard reports.
Tensions in Rivers State have persisted since shortly after Governor Fubara assumed office following the 2023 elections.
The disagreement between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the FCT Minister, has involved divisions within the Rivers State House of Assembly, legal disputes and threats of impeachment.
Previous interventions by national and party leaders have sought to calm the dispute.
The political rift has attracted federal attention because Rivers State plays a strategic role in national politics and economic activity due to its oil resources and large electorate.
According to Vanguard, President Tinubu held a late-night meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with Wike, Fubara and other key political figures from Rivers State.
The discussions were aimed at addressing the ongoing political tensions, although officials have not released detailed information about the content of the talks.
After the meeting, reports indicated that Governor Fubara accompanied Wike to the minister’s residence in Guzape, Abuja.
The meeting follows months of political disagreement, which previously resulted in a split in the Rivers State House of Assembly and legal challenges between rival factions loyal to the two leaders.
The federal intervention reflects ongoing concerns about political stability and governance in Rivers State. Continued dialogue among the principal actors may inform how local leadership navigates internal party relations and legislative cooperation.
Political developments in Rivers State are significant for broader governance considerations, including legislative continuity and public administration in Africa’s largest oil-producing state.
Stakeholders and observers will monitor subsequent actions by state and federal authorities to understand how the crisis influences policy implementation and governance outcomes.
