Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.
The decision was announced on Thursday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi. According to the statement, all Commissioners and Special Advisers have been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries with immediate effect.
Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the outgoing council members for their service to the state and wished them success in their future endeavours.
Political Context
The dissolution comes 48 hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, confirmed fresh reconciliation efforts to resolve the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State.
Wike disclosed that President Bola Tinubu convened a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa involving Governor Fubara, his predecessor, and other key political stakeholders from the state. The meeting was aimed at easing tensions stemming from the ongoing power struggle between the governor and lawmakers loyal to Wike.
The intervention follows an impeachment process initiated against Fubara by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Wike. The impeachment notice, reportedly the third, is currently the subject of litigation.
Speaking on Tuesday after inspecting projects in Abuja, Wike said the meeting, held on Monday, February 9, was initiated by President Tinubu.
“I remember this is the second time the President is intervening and believe by the grace of God, this is going to be the last time,” Wike said.
He added that he had urged members of the Assembly to comply with the President’s directive and expressed confidence that the governor would also play his part to restore peace.
Signs of Thaw?
Reports indicated that after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Governor Fubara accompanied Wike to his residence in Guzape, Abuja, a move observers interpreted as a potential sign of easing hostilities.
However, it remains unclear whether the pro-Wike lawmakers will withdraw the impeachment notice or whether the latest reconciliation efforts will lead to a lasting resolution of the political crisis in the oil-rich state.
What you should know
Governor Fubara’s dissolution of the Executive Council comes at a delicate moment in Rivers State politics.
The state has been engulfed in a prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as FCT Minister. The crisis has led to repeated impeachment moves by lawmakers aligned with Wike and multiple interventions by President Tinubu.
While recent reconciliation talks suggest a possible de-escalation, the political situation remains fluid, with legal proceedings over impeachment still ongoing.
The cabinet dissolution may signal a strategic political reset, but its full implications will depend on whether peace efforts succeed and how the legislature responds in the coming days.
