Tinubu may restore Fubara, Rivers lawmakers in July

President Bola Tinubu is reportedly set to reinstate the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, along with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, later this month. This follows a successful peace meeting between Fubara and his predecessor, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Sources in the Presidency told The PUNCH that the decision comes after a closed-door reconciliation meeting held last Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was attended by Fubara, Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and several lawmakers.

The political crisis in Rivers State deepened on March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in the state. As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly, citing “disturbing security reports” involving pipeline vandalism and the governor’s alleged failure to act. Tinubu, during a national broadcast, said he could not allow the “grave situation” to continue.

The roots of the crisis date back to October 2023, when a power struggle began between Fubara and Wike, his former political mentor. This led to 27 pro-Wike lawmakers initiating impeachment proceedings against Fubara. Tinubu first intervened on October 31, 2023, by hosting a peace meeting at the Presidential Villa, but the agreement soon collapsed.

Further legal disputes followed. In early 2024, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt allowed four pro-Fubara lawmakers to continue legislative activities despite opposition from the pro-Wike faction, worsening the divide.