••Rivers Governor’s visit to FCT Minister follows London meeting with President Tinubu, amid escalating political crisis.
By Suleiman Ibrahim
Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara took a dramatic step towards reconciliation with his political arch-rival, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, by prostrating and repeatedly calling him “My Oga” during a recent visit to Wike’s Abuja residence.
The extraordinary encounter, which occurred on Friday, April 18, came shortly after Mr. Fubara’s meeting in London with President Bola Tinubu, amidst the escalating political turmoil in Rivers State.
President Tinubu’s intervention had resulted in the declaration of an emergency rule and the suspension of Mr. Fubara and other elected officials for an initial six-month period.
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the reconciliation meeting was facilitated by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Ogun Governor Olusegun Osoba, who accompanied Mr. Fubara to Mr. Wike’s home.
“Fubara was brought to the minister’s house on Friday, 18 April. He prostrated for Wike while holding his legs and calling him, ‘My Oga’,” a well-placed source disclosed. The meeting reportedly stretched into the early hours of Saturday, April 19.
While the specifics of their discussion remain tightly guarded, it is understood that Mr. Fubara was instructed to engage with key stakeholders in Rivers State, particularly elders, and present his account of the ongoing political feud with Mr. Wike.
Mr. Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the meeting but stated he was not privy to the details of their conversation. Attempts to reach Mr. Fubara’s spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, and the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, for comment were unsuccessful.
Background to the Crisis
The once-close relationship between Mr. Fubara and his predecessor, Mr. Wike, soured within six months of Mr. Fubara assuming office, plunging Rivers State into a deep political crisis.
This power struggle led to a split within the State House of Assembly, with 27 members aligning with Mr. Wike and a smaller faction of three remaining loyal to the suspended governor. Mr. Fubara had recognized the smaller group, arguing that the majority had forfeited their seats by defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a significant Supreme Court judgment on February 28, 2025, shifted the balance of power decisively in favor of Mr. Wike and his allies. The court reinstated the pro-Wike faction as the legitimate assembly, halted federal allocations to the state, and nullified local government elections conducted under Mr. Fubara’s administration.
Subsequently, on March 14, the reinstated Rivers House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Mr. Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing allegations ranging from unauthorized spending of state funds to the appointment of officials without proper legislative screening.
The impeachment move coincided with Mr. Fubara’s decision to dissolve the elected local council chairpersons in compliance with the Supreme Court’s rulings.
The declaration of an emergency rule in Rivers State and the suspension of elected officials have been met with widespread public condemnation.
