Ogona Anita
President Bola Tinubu is set to reinstate the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and members of the State House of Assembly before the end of July.
This move comes after a private reconciliation meeting held last Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, which involved Fubara, his political rival and predecessor Nyesom Wike, suspended Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and several lawmakers.
Tinubu, who left Abuja for diplomatic visits to Saint Lucia and Brazil, is expected to make the official announcement once he returns to Nigeria, Punch reports.
The crisis in Rivers State began in October 2023, when a battle for political control erupted between Fubara and Wike, leading 27 pro-Wike lawmakers to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Violence followed, including the bombing of the State Assembly complex and attacks during local government elections.
President Tinubu later intervened on March 18, 2025, by declaring a state of emergency, suspending the governor, his deputy, and all state lawmakers, and appointing a sole administrator to take charge.
Sources from the Presidency have confirmed that Tinubu is ready to bring Fubara back to office this month, ahead of the September deadline when the emergency rule is expected to end.According to insiders, the recent peace deal brokered by Tinubu appears to have softened tensions between Fubara and Wike, with both parties now agreeing to work together under new terms.
As part of the agreement, Fubara will remain in office but will not seek a second term in 2027.
In exchange, all impeachment actions against him will be withdrawn.
Wike is also expected to gain control of grassroots politics by nominating chairmen
for all 23 local government areas in the state.
Fubara has reportedly agreed to pay outstanding entitlements to the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, who were previously suspended and had defected to the APC.
The deal also requires Fubara to disband his political support groups such as the “Simplified Movement” and “Simplified Elders” as a show of loyalty and full reintegration into the Wike-led political structure.
There had been speculation that Fubara’s return might be tied to a forced resignation shortly after reinstatement, but Presidency sources have denied this.
However, reports revealed the governor’s political influence will be reduced, and his role going forward will be limited to managing the remainder of his term without pursuing further ambitions.
