Fubara’s Lagos visit to Tinubu stirs tension amid Rivers State political crisis. Fallout with Wike worsens.
A Quiet Visit That Echoed Loudly
On June 3, 2025, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
While the visit was framed as a quiet courtesy call, it has sparked waves across Nigeria’s already tense political waters,
especially in Rivers State where an unresolved crisis continues to erode democratic stability.
According to Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy,
the visit was confirmed but remained shrouded in mystery regarding its intent. Yet, its timing speaks volumes.
This article unpacks the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, Fubara’s tense relationship with former Governor Nyesom Wike,
and the national implications of this subtle but symbolically powerful Lagos visit.
The Roots of the Rivers Crisis: Wike vs. Fubara
At the heart of Rivers State’s troubles is a political war between Siminalayi Fubara and his former boss, Nyesom Wike.
The two men were once political allies, with Fubara emerging from Wike’s inner circle.
However, as soon as Fubara assumed office in May 2023, cracks in their alliance became glaringly public.
Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has consistently been accused of trying to control Rivers State remotely.
Fubara, on the other hand, has pushed back, seeking to assert his autonomy as an elected governor.
The resulting standoff spiraled into chaos: parallel legislative sessions, state assembly shutdowns, and protracted legal battles.
By early 2025, the Rivers State political landscape was ungovernable.
Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration and Shock Suspension
In a surprising move, President Tinubu, during a March 2025 nationwide broadcast, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Citing “total breakdown of law and order,” the President suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state assembly.
This decision shocked many. Critics questioned whether the President had overstepped constitutional boundaries.
Supporters, however, hailed the move as a necessary intervention to restore order in a volatile region.
Alongside the suspension, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the interim administrator of Rivers State.
This unprecedented move marked a rare federal takeover of a state government in democratic Nigeria.
The Lagos Visit: Symbol of Surrender or Strategy?
With that political backdrop, Fubara’s appearance in Lagos raised eyebrows. Was the visit a peace offering?
A desperate plea for reinstatement? Or a strategic chess move designed to appeal directly to the President in the face of Wike’s lingering influence?
While the content of the meeting was not disclosed, political analysts believe the optics were carefully choreographed.
Fubara appeared calm, composed, and respectful an image many believe was meant to demonstrate loyalty to Tinubu and a willingness to comply with presidential authority.
Still, the visit has sparked a new wave of speculation: is Fubara preparing to cut ties with Wike for good and realign himself with Tinubu’s political structure?
If so, the implications could be seismic.
The Political Fallout Across Nigeria
The impact of Fubara’s Lagos Visit is not restricted to Rivers State alone.
It sends a message across Nigeria’s fragile democratic framework that loyalty at the federal level can potentially override even the most entrenched local godfathers.
For opposition parties, this incident highlights a growing concern about the centralization of power under Tinubu’s presidency.
The President’s decision to suspend a sitting governor, followed by the governor’s visit to seek reconciliation,
paints a picture of federal dominance that may alarm democratic purists.
PDP’s Silence and APC’s Calculations
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to which both Fubara and Wike originally belonged, has remained largely silent.
This silence speaks volumes about the internal divisions plaguing the party.
With Wike often accused of working in tandem with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), many within the PDP are unsure whom to support.
The APC, on the other hand, appears to be playing a careful game.
While it has distanced itself from the Rivers crisis publicly, sources close to the party suggest that high-level negotiations are underway to absorb Fubara into its fold especially if he can publicly sever ties with Wike.
What Fubara Stands to Gain or Lose
For Fubara, the visit could signal a last-ditch effort to secure his political future.
By meeting Tinubu face-to-face, he may be hoping to demonstrate goodwill and secure a pathway for reinstatement under favorable conditions.
However, the risks are substantial.
If Tinubu sees Fubara as expendable or too weakened to govern effectively, the visit may yield no real benefits. Worse, it could alienate his remaining support base in Rivers State.
Conversely, if Tinubu interprets the visit as a signal of obedience and repentance,
Fubara could emerge from this crisis politically reborn albeit likely under a new political party or federal patronage network.
Public Reactions: Mixed Feelings in Rivers State
In Rivers State, reactions to Fubara’s Lagos Visit have been divided.
Some residents view it as a betrayal of the state’s autonomy and a capitulation to federal bullying.
Others see it as a pragmatic step toward peace and reconciliation.
Civil society groups have called for transparency, urging the President to clarify whether Fubara’s visit means negotiations are ongoing to resolve the crisis.
Legal experts have also weighed in, noting that the constitutional implications of suspending a democratically elected governor remain murky and largely untested.
Read Also:
- Rivers State Supreme Court Silence on Rivers Crisis
- Wike Secondus PDP Clash: Inside the Power Struggle
- Wike and Fubara political conflict
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Nigerian Democracy
This ongoing saga presents a critical test for Nigeria’s democracy in 2025.
It pits the power of federal authority against the independence of state governments.
It raises serious questions about the separation of powers, due process, and the rule of law.
If federal takeovers become the new norm for resolving political disputes, it could set a dangerous precedent.
On the other hand, if states remain lawless due to internal power struggles, the call for stronger federal intervention will only grow louder.
Either way, the Lagos visit by Siminalayi Fubara will remain a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s contemporary political history.
What Happens Next?
As the country watches closely, several key questions remain unanswered:
Will President Tinubu reinstate Fubara?
Is Wike still pulling strings behind the scenes?
Will Rivers State ever return to political stability?
And perhaps most crucially who truly holds the reins of power in Nigeria today?
The answers to these questions will shape not only the fate of one man but the broader democratic direction of the nation.
Conclusion: Between Power and Precedent
Fubara’s Lagos Visit may have seemed like just another political event, but its undercurrents run deep.
It reflects a power struggle that transcends Rivers State, touching on Nigeria’s federal architecture, the role of political loyalty,
and the fine balance between authority and autonomy.
As Nigerians reflect on these developments, one thing is clear democracy is not just about elections.
It’s also about how power is used, transferred, and respected.
In that sense, Fubara’s journey to Lagos may be more than symbolic it could be transformative.
What do you think about the President’s suspension of an elected governor?
Was Fubara’s Lagos visit a smart move or a sign of surrender?
Share your views in the comments below and let us know where you stand in this unfolding drama.
Author: Halima Yusuf
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