Tinubu Meets Suspended Governor Fubara in London as Rivers Political Crisis Takes New Turn
By HeadlineNews.News – April 23, 2025
LONDON, UK – In a bold diplomatic maneuver aimed at resolving one of Nigeria’s most consequential political crises, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly held a private meeting with suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in London last week, following his departure from a working visit to Paris.
The meeting, first reported by The Africa Report, is seen as part of a delicate effort to de-escalate tensions in the oil-rich state, which has been under a declared state of emergency since late March. Sources within the Presidency confirmed the encounter, noting that Governor Fubara himself had requested the audience, hoping to strike a deal that could pave the way for his reinstatement.
“Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” a senior presidential adviser disclosed, requesting anonymity.
Background: A Crisis That Shook the Niger Delta
The Rivers State political crisis reached a boiling point earlier this year when a protracted power struggle between Governor Fubara and his estranged political mentor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, spiraled into open confrontation. The fallout saw 27 pro-Wike lawmakers defect from the PDP to the APC, leading to institutional paralysis and the eventual declaration of emergency rule by the Federal Government.
Though emergency rule is constitutionally provided under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), this marks one of the few instances in Nigeria’s democratic history where a sitting governor was suspended under such circumstances.
Rivers, Nigeria’s second-highest oil-producing state, remains economically and politically strategic. With tensions disrupting governance and raising fears of instability in the volatile Niger Delta, the presidency has come under increasing pressure to broker a political détente.
Fubara’s Political Calculations: A Defection in the Works?
Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Governor Fubara is willing to make key compromises, including a potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC)—a move that could realign Rivers State politically and enhance President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
“If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” noted a top presidential aide.
The defection could also offer Fubara a political shield from further persecution and rebuild his legitimacy within a party that currently holds federal power.
Observers, however, note that such a defection may deepen the rift with Wike, who has remained visibly uncomfortable with the developments, especially with meetings taking place outside his orbit of influence.
Wike’s Silence and the Unseen Hands in Aso Rock
Wike, who governed Rivers State for eight years and played a pivotal role in Fubara’s emergence, has remained largely silent in the wake of these revelations. Yet insiders say his discomfort is growing.
“Wike is not pleased that these meetings are happening behind his back. It threatens his grip on Rivers politics,” said a high-level APC strategist.
Wike’s influence within the APC, especially among the party’s southern bloc, remains significant. Any deal that sidelines him could trigger retaliatory moves, potentially affecting Tinubu’s broader coalition heading into 2027.
Tinubu the Balancer: Seeking a Truce Before Turmoil
President Tinubu’s handling of the Rivers crisis reflects his long-standing reputation as a political strategist and coalition builder. By engaging both sides—without openly favoring either—he seeks to preserve unity in a region critical to national oil revenue and electoral strategy.
A meeting between Tinubu, Fubara, Wike, and Rivers lawmakers is reportedly in the works, with hopes that the President can broker a truce similar to his post-election reconciliations in Lagos and Kano.
“This is Tinubu’s test of statesmanship—balancing ambition with alliance,” said Dr. Adedayo Olusola, political science professor at UNILAG.
“If he can settle Rivers without violence, it will be a blueprint for handling party politics at the state level.”
Conclusion: More Than a State—A Symbol of Nigeria’s Fragile Federalism
Rivers State today is more than a flashpoint; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s delicate federal structure, where personal loyalties, party politics, and regional interests intersect with explosive consequences.
As negotiations continue, all eyes remain on President Tinubu. Will he uphold the constitutional order while preserving his political capital? Will Fubara regain his seat through compromise or capitulation? And will Wike accept a role outside the driver’s seat?
Only time—and further meetings—will tell.
Dr. A. Fraser. MFR
Headlinenews.news Special Report
