ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has once again intervened to halt the escalating political feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, ordering an immediate end to all impeachment plots.
The intervention, which occurred just before the President’s departure for an official trip to Türkiye on January 26, 2026, aims to resolve a crisis that has pushed Nigeria’s critical oil-producing hub to the brink of legislative paralysis and administrative collapse.
The Terms of Engagement
According to high-level sources familiar with the resolution, the President laid down strict conditions for both parties to ensure the stability of the state. Under the new arrangement:
Impeachment Halt: Minister Wike was ordered to immediately suspend all moves to impeach Governor Fubara and allow the state government to function without further interference.
- Political Leadership: Governor Fubara was directed to officially recognise Nyesom Wike as the undisputed “political leader” of the party structure in Rivers State and accord him the corresponding respect.
- Bye-Election Concessions: Candidates loyal to Wike are to be recognised and supported in the upcoming State Assembly bye-elections in Ahoada and Khana constituencies.
- Second Term Neutrality: President Tinubu explicitly told both feuding parties that discussions regarding Fubara’s 2027 second-term bid are “premature” and must be set aside to focus on governance.
A Fragile Precedent
This latest peace deal follows a series of failed settlements, including a December 2023 agreement that collapsed within months. The rift previously reached such a volatile level that President Tinubu was forced to declare a six-month state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, which included a temporary suspension of the Governor.
Tinubu reportedly expressed deep displeasure over the recurring hostilities, warning that the federal government would not condone further instability in a state seen as vital to national security and the President’s 2027 re-election strategy.
The “Godfather” Conflict
The core of the dispute remains a battle over the control of the state’s political levers. While Wike, who personally engineered Fubara’s emergence, has been accused of attempting to maintain a “chokehold” on the administration from Abuja, Fubara has consistently pushed for independence.
The new deal places the Governor in a delicate position, effectively “boxing him in” politically by freezing the existing party structure under Wike’s loyalists. Analysts suggest that while the deal may prevent an immediate impeachment, it solidifies Wike’s influence over the state’s electoral future.
Reaction and Compliance
While neither camp has issued an official statement following the President’s directive, the suspension of APC congresses in Rivers and the recent resumption of FCTA workers suggest a broader attempt by the Presidency to stabilize Wike’s various fronts.
