President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to reinstate suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, along with members of the State House of Assembly, before the end of July, following a major political truce brokered at the Presidential Villa last Thursday.
The closed-door meeting, held in Abuja, brought together key political rivals: Governor Fubara, his predecessor and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, suspended Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and several lawmakers at the heart of the crisis.
Tinubu, currently on diplomatic visits to Saint Lucia and Brazil, is expected to make an official announcement upon his return, according to a report by The Punch. Sources within the Presidency confirmed that the president has approved the peace accord, signaling an end to the state of emergency declared in March.
The Rivers political turmoil erupted in October 2023, when a power struggle between Fubara and Wike escalated into legislative mutiny, attempted impeachment, and widespread unrest. The Assembly complex was bombed, and local government elections were marred by violence.
In March 2025, Tinubu imposed emergency rule, suspending the governor, his deputy, and all state lawmakers, appointing a sole administrator to take charge. The emergency rule was originally set to expire in September.
Under the newly reached agreement, Fubara will return to office but will not seek re-election in 2027. In return, all impeachment efforts will be dropped. Wike is expected to regain strong political control at the grassroots level, including nominating chairmen for all 23 local government areas.
Additionally, Fubara has reportedly agreed to:
- Disband political support groups like the “Simplified Movement” and “Simplified Elders.”
- Pay all outstanding entitlements to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, who had defected to the APC.
Although speculation had swirled about a forced resignation after reinstatement, Presidency insiders have denied such claims, stating Fubara will serve out his term, albeit with reduced political influence and no succession ambitions.
The deal marks a significant de-escalation in Rivers politics and is seen as a calculated move by President Tinubu to restore stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
