Abuja, Nigeria – June 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly brokered a fresh peace deal aimed at resolving the lingering political crisis in Rivers State by agreeing to the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara—with a key condition: the embattled governor must not seek re-election in 2027.
According to insider sources familiar with the high-level negotiations, President Tinubu’s intervention comes as part of his renewed push to stabilize Rivers politics following months of tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The new arrangement, which reportedly received the backing of both camps during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, is expected to bring a lasting truce to the power tussle that has threatened governance and peace in the oil-rich state.
Under the terms of the deal, Governor Fubara will be allowed to complete his current term in office without further obstruction, but will commit not to contest the 2027 gubernatorial elections. This, observers say, is part of President Tinubu’s broader strategy to ensure political balance and prevent further fragmentation within the ruling party.
Although official statements have not yet confirmed the full details of the arrangement, both Governor Fubara and Minister Wike made reconciliatory remarks in a recent interview, signalling a renewed commitment to peace and unity in Rivers.
Wike was quoted as saying: “Everything is over. We are members of the same political family. As humans, we have disagreements, but we also have time to settle them.”
Similarly, Governor Fubara stated, “What we need in Rivers is peace. We shall do everything in our power to sustain peace in Rivers State.”
If fully implemented, the new accord is expected to reset the political dynamics in the state and restore public confidence in governance. However, political analysts warn that the true test will lie in how both sides honour the terms of the agreement in the coming months.
