Naija Blog — Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and suspended Speaker of the State House of Assembly Martins Amaewhule held a closed-door reconciliation meeting in Abuja on Thursday, June 26, marking the first direct engagement between both parties since the eruption of a political crisis that has rocked the state for months.
The meeting, which reportedly ended on a positive note, saw both men exchanging handshakes and sharing light-hearted moments—a sharp contrast to the months of tension and division that have defined the political landscape in Rivers State.
Sources confirm that the peace talks were facilitated by President Bola Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, both of whom played key roles in pushing for a negotiated settlement.
This comes after Fubara was suspended from office on March 19 following a state of emergency declared by President Tinubu amid escalating political unrest in the state. The National Assembly ratified the emergency measure, appointing former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd) as interim administrator for a six-month period.
Before Thursday’s meeting, Fubara had held individual consultations with both President Tinubu and Wike. Wike, who is widely seen as a central figure in the power tussle, had insisted that reconciliation must involve Fubara addressing grievances raised by lawmakers, particularly regarding unpaid salaries and allowances allegedly withheld for over two years.
While details of the discussion remain confidential, political observers are describing the Abuja meeting as the most concrete sign yet that a peaceful resolution is possible.
“The image of Fubara and Amaewhule together sends a strong message of unity and hope to the people of Rivers State,” a source close to the negotiation said.
As Rivers State continues under interim leadership, this development could pave the way for restoring democratic governance and resolving long-standing disputes that have crippled the state’s political institutions.
Observers now await further actions that will follow this symbolic reconciliation, with attention turning to how swiftly concrete steps will be taken to normalize governance and reinstate suspended officials.