Fresh details have emerged from the latest peace deal brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve the protracted political crisis rocking Rivers State, with strong indications that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s political future has been firmly secured and the long-running standoff with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has entered a decisive phase
Findings indicate that the agreement reached in Abuja not only halts ongoing impeachment efforts against Governor Siminalayi Fubara but also effectively seals his path to a second term in office in 2027. The deal, which followed a closed-door, late-night meeting at the Presidential Villa, is being described by insiders as the most comprehensive intervention yet by the presidency since the crisis began.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, President Tinubu’s mediation produced binding commitments from all major political actors in Rivers State, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, lawmakers loyal to him, and Governor Fubara himself, aimed at restoring stability, legislative harmony, and uninterrupted governance.
Fubara’s Second Term Endorsed
One of the most significant outcomes of the Abuja peace deal is the reported endorsement of Governor Fubara’s re-election in 2027. While no public declaration has been made, insiders confirm that the agreement includes a political understanding that Fubara will be allowed to complete his tenure and contest for a second term without internal sabotage.
A prominent supporter of the governor described the endorsement as more than a political concession.
“This is not just about continuity,” the supporter said. “It is a validation of trust earned through consistency, sacrifice, and quiet strength. Governor Fubara endured enormous pressure, but he chose restraint and loyalty to the people of Rivers State.”
The endorsement, if sustained, effectively neutralises years of internal party conflict that have threatened to destabilise the state’s political future and economic prospects.What began as a quiet disagreement quickly escalated into a full-blown power struggle, splitting the Rivers State House of Assembly into rival factions, disrupting legislative processes, and triggering repeated impeachment threats against the governor.
At the height of the crisis, lawmakers loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings, plunging the state into legal battles and deepening political uncertainty.
Fresh Impeachment Move Triggered Abuja Alarm
The most recent presidential intervention was prompted by a renewed impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara, allegedly spearheaded by lawmakers aligned with Wike. The move immediately raised alarms in Abuja, particularly as it coincided with mounting legal disputes and growing public anxiety in Rivers State.
Sources say President Tinubu was concerned that the escalating tensions could spiral out of control, potentially affecting oil production, investor confidence, and security in the Niger Delta.
The closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, select lawmakers, and influential Rivers stakeholders in what was described as a frank, no-holds-barred discussion.
Wike Softens, Orders Assembly to Obey Fubara
In a surprising shift of tone, Minister Nyesom Wike publicly confirmed that he has instructed members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to comply with President Tinubu’s directives and work with Governor Fubara.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike said he had told lawmakers to “do the needful” and put an end to actions capable of further destabilising the state.
“I have told the Assembly to do the needful and obey Mr President, which I know they will not hesitate to do,” Wike said. “I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord.”
The statement represents a significant soft-pedaling from Wike, who had previously maintained a hardline posture throughout the crisis.
Political observers say the warning from the presidency, coupled with the need to preserve party unity ahead of future elections, likely influenced Wike’s decision to de-escalate.
Rivers Assembly to Fall in Line
As part of the agreement, lawmakers are expected to recognise Governor Fubara’s authority fully, restore legislative normalcy, and discontinue impeachment proceedings.
Multiple sources confirmed that the fractured House of Assembly would be reunified under a framework agreed upon in Abuja, allowing governance to resume without obstruction.
This development is expected to unlock stalled budgets, approvals, and policy initiatives that have suffered due to months of legislative gridlock.
A Test of Political Maturity
While the Abuja peace deal has been widely welcomed, analysts caution that its success depends largely on the willingness of all parties to honour their commitments.
For Governor Fubara, the agreement offers breathing space to focus on governance, rebuild institutions, and strengthen public trust. For Wike and his allies, it provides a dignified exit from a prolonged confrontation that risked damaging their political standing.
For President Tinubu, the resolution is a test case of federal mediation in subnational conflicts, especially in politically sensitive states like Rivers.
As Rivers State residents look forward to a return to stability, many hope this latest peace deal will finally mark the end of a crisis that has dominated headlines and distracted from governance.
Whether the calm will last remains to be seen. But for now, the message from Abuja is clear: the political war in Rivers State must end, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership, and future, stands secured.
