Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stepped up efforts to sustain the peace recently restored to the state after over two years of political unrest.
On Saturday night, Governor Fubara held another closed-door meeting with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, along with a larger group of political leaders loyal to the FCT Minister.
The meeting, which took place at the Port Harcourt residence of elder statesman Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, reportedly lasted until the early hours of Sunday. It came just days after the Governor’s valedictory session with his cabinet members.
During that earlier session, Governor Fubara directed commissioners affected by the Supreme Court judgment on the Rivers political crisis to step aside, while eight others unaffected by the ruling have since resumed duties.
Although details of the latest meeting were not made public, it is believed both leaders are working to reinforce the peace accord brokered by President Bola Tinubu during the six-month emergency rule in the state.
The renewed engagement followed Governor Fubara’s recent visit to President Tinubu, during which he reaffirmed his commitment to peace and sought the President’s advice on preventing a return to political instability.
Similarly, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, in a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, reiterated his dedication to the peace process, stressing that he had no interest in influencing the appointment of new commissioners, unlike in 2023, when many cabinet members were inherited from his administration.
Prominent figures at Saturday’s meeting included the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule; Senators Barinada Mpigi, Magnus Abe, Wilson Ake, George Sekibo, and Olaka Nwogu; Hon. Felix Nwaeke; Hon. Kelechi Nwogu; Deputy Speaker Hon. Dumle Maol; and House Leader Hon. Major Jack.
Others in attendance were Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, HRM Sergeant Awuse, Chief OCJ Okocha (SAN), four former Attorneys-General, Frank Owhor, Ken Chikere, Worgu Boms, and Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN); APC South-South Vice Chairman Victor Giadom; PDP State Chairman Chukwuemeka Aaron; and Port Harcourt City Mayor Alwell Ihunda.
Also present were former Minister of Environment Udi Odom, HYPRP Board Chairman Emma Deeyah, former federal lawmakers Chidi Wihioka and Chinyere Igwe, former Speaker Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, NDDC’s Boma Iyaye, Marcus Nle Eji of the South-South Development Commission, NPC Federal Commissioner Prof. Henry Ogiri, NOSDRA DG Emeka Woke, Dr. Sampson Parker, Fred Kpakol, former PDP Chairman Felix Obuah, and Chidi Amadi, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister.
What you should know
The meeting marks another significant step in stabilizing Rivers State’s political landscape, long strained by rivalry between Fubara and Wike.
Both leaders appear to be aligning under President Tinubu’s peace framework, signaling a renewed bid to maintain calm and cooperation in the state’s governance.
