President Tinubu's Intervention Resolves Rivers Political Crisis as Fubara Bows to Pressure, Forfeits 2027 Ambition

 

A tense political standoff in Rivers State appears to have been defused following a closed-door meeting led by President Bola Tinubu. The meeting, held on the evening of June 26, brought together key players in the protracted crisis, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and members of the factionalised state House of Assembly.

Presidency sources have disclosed that the outcome of the meeting was a truce forged with significant implications for the state's political future. Central to this agreement is the decision that Governor Fubara will not seek reelection in 2027. While this move allows him to complete his current term in office, it effectively removes him from the political equation ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The agreement forms part of what has been described by insiders as a comprehensive peace arrangement aimed at restoring democratic stability to the state. President Tinubu is said to have stressed the importance of resolving the prolonged dispute, which had caused sharp divisions in Rivers' governance structure, attracting national attention and legal scrutiny.

Governor Fubara, who has been locked in a power tussle with Wike and the Assembly members loyal to him, reportedly accepted the terms despite the personal and political cost. Sources familiar with the meeting's deliberations revealed that his acceptance was based on the promise of political survival and the ability to see through the remainder of his tenure without threat of impeachment.

Under the terms of the settlement, the former governor, Wike, will regain substantial control of the state's grassroots political network. A key component of the agreement allows him to nominate all chairpersons for the 23 local government areas across Rivers State. This move is being interpreted by political observers as a strategic victory for Wike, who remains a major force within both the state and national political scene.

The control of local governments, long regarded as a cornerstone of political influence in Nigeria, means Wike will maintain firm grip over key structures that mobilize support and resources. According to a high-ranking official present at the discussions, this power dynamic positions the FCT minister to play a pivotal role in the political reconfiguration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Further details of the agreement include a commitment from Governor Fubara to pay outstanding benefits and allowances owed to the 27 lawmakers who had previously been suspended from the House of Assembly. These lawmakers, known to be aligned with Wike, had earlier defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the heat of the conflict. Despite their defection, they continued to assert their legitimacy as legislators, sparking legal battles and constitutional debates about the nature of party allegiance and legislative authority.

The understanding reached in the meeting also provides the lawmakers with guarantees that they will not face impeachment proceedings initiated by the governor's camp. In return, they will shelve their threats to remove Fubara from office. This aspect of the deal, observers believe, underscores the fragile balance of power and the deep compromise involved.

Political analysts note that while the deal brings temporary calm, it has redrawn the lines of influence in Rivers politics. One source close to the presidency described the agreement as a peace plan with a steep price. “Fubara gets to stay in power, but he is essentially a lame-duck governor from this point on,” the source said.

Another insider emphasized that President Tinubu's primary concern was to prevent the Rivers crisis from escalating further. “He made it clear that Rivers cannot afford an ongoing breakdown in governance. The deal is about restoring calm, but it comes at a steep cost for Fubara. Wike is the real winner here. By controlling the local government chairmen, he retains significant influence over the state’s political machinery, which will be crucial for 2027,” the source explained.

This development marks a pivotal shift in the unfolding political drama that has gripped one of Nigeria’s most strategically important states. While the peace may be fragile and the compromises uncomfortable, it represents a significant intervention by the presidency to stabilize the region, at least for now. Whether the truce will hold in the long run remains to be seen.