Rivers Political Tensions May Ease as Fubara Considers Concessions After Meeting Tinubu in UK

Rivers State’s prolonged political unrest may finally see a turning point as suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara signals willingness to make peace following a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London.No

Fresh signs of political reconciliation have emerged in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara—currently under suspension—is reportedly ready to make key concessions to reduce mounting political tension. This development follows a recent private meeting between Fubara and President Bola Tinubu during the latter’s retreat in London.

According to The Africa Report, the meeting was initiated by Fubara himself. Though the details remain scarce, a senior presidential adviser disclosed that Fubara pledged to cooperate to restore political stability. “Negotiations are underway, and it’s likely that Fubara’s suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” the source said.

Another insider revealed that Fubara is also considering defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that could strengthen Tinubu’s political hold on the oil-rich state. “If he joins APC, it increases the president’s chances in Rivers,” the source added.

This was the first face-to-face between the president and Fubara since March 18, when Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, and appointed ex-Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator. The decision was triggered by escalating instability that crippled governance and threatened national security.

The conflict, rooted in a bitter fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, intensified last December when the state House of Assembly was demolished. The tension deepened when 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to APC, sparking a constitutional crisis.

Despite a February Supreme Court ruling that upheld the lawmakers’ status and condemned Fubara’s actions, the state’s governance structure has remained paralyzed. The 2025 budget remains unpassed, further stalling development.

The situation worsened in March with two pipeline explosions amid security alerts linking the incidents to militants allegedly loyal to Fubara. These developments influenced Tinubu’s emergency declaration.

Though the president’s aides declined to confirm the full outcome of the London meeting, sources say Fubara may be reinstated before his suspension ends in September. Wike, who was reportedly not part of the meeting, is said to be uneasy about the reconciliation path.

Tinubu is now expected to hold talks with both Wike and key lawmakers from the state to achieve a lasting resolution.

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