By: Daure David
In a dramatic twist that could reshape the political landscape of Rivers State and beyond, former President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be leading intense behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at securing the reinstatement of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, ahead of Nigeria’s pivotal June 12 Democracy Day celebrations.
Credible sources close to the former president revealed that Jonathan, leveraging his stature as a respected statesman and regional power broker, has been meeting with key political figures in Abuja and the South-South region. The objective, insiders say, is to resolve the political deadlock in Rivers State and ensure Fubara’s return to office to prevent what one source called “a constitutional and democratic embarrassment.”
The suspended governor, a key ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, was removed under controversial circumstances following a deepening rift with political heavyweight and former Governor Nyesom Wike. The power tussle, which has sharply divided the state’s political structure, has led to legislative and judicial confusion in Rivers, with both camps claiming legitimacy.
“President Jonathan has been deeply concerned by the instability in Rivers. He believes that restoring Fubara is not just about the state but also about safeguarding democracy in the South-South,” said a source familiar with the discussions, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
The timing is crucial. With Democracy Day approaching on June 12, President Tinubu’s administration is under mounting pressure to present a united and stable democratic front. Analysts believe that a resolution to the Rivers crisis could serve as a symbolic win for the Tinubu presidency, demonstrating a commitment to federal balance and political reconciliation.
The Presidency, while yet to make any official comment, is reportedly weighing the political cost of either backing Wike’s influence or conceding to pressure from Jonathan and other elder statesmen. Several governors from the South-South and South-East are also believed to be rallying behind the move, viewing Fubara’s removal as a dangerous precedent.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations, youth groups, and some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Fubara have intensified calls for his reinstatement. Protests and peaceful marches are being planned in Port Harcourt and Abuja, as supporters see June 12 as a symbolic deadline for democratic justice.
The political tension is palpable, and all eyes are now on Aso Rock, where the final decision may rest with President Tinubu. Whether the President will bow to pressure from Jonathan and his allies or stay the course in support of entrenched interests remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: Rivers State has once again become the epicenter of a high-stakes political showdown, with implications that could ripple across the federation.
