Wike reveals President Tinubu brokered latest peace talks, expresses hope for end to Rivers crisis

FCT Minister says President intervened to resolve rift between Governor Fubara and state assembly, urges both sides to honour commitments

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has disclosed that Monday’s high-level meeting between himself, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and President Bola Tinubu was convened at the President’s instance in a renewed push to end the protracted political crisis in Rivers State.

Speaking after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike confirmed that Tinubu personally initiated the talks to broker peace between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He expressed gratitude for the President’s intervention and voiced optimism that lasting stability was now within reach.

“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. “I have told the assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate. I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure that this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord.”

The Minister’s remarks came a day after reports emerged that Fubara accompanied Wike to his Guzape residence in Abuja immediately following the closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa—a gesture observers interpreted as a tentative sign of détente.

Sunday’s meeting, which also included other Rivers political leaders, marked the latest attempt to resolve the bitter power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.

It was the first such intervention since a third impeachment notice was issued against Fubara by lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, a matter currently sub judice.

Despite the high-level talks and apparent cordiality, it remains unclear whether a fresh truce will hold. Key sticking points—including whether Fubara has abandoned his second-term ambition and agreed to cede political control of Rivers State, two demands widely associated with the Wike camp—remain unresolved.

It is also uncertain whether pro-Wike lawmakers will withdraw the impeachment notice against the governor.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts