A closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt has sparked hopes of reconciliation between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. Held on Saturday night, the gathering included key political figures such as members of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Council, the state House of Assembly leadership, and prominent Wike loyalists, including Rivers National Assembly caucus members.
Convened by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Council, the meeting featured attendees like Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, Senate caucus leader Senator Barry Mpigi, and other notable figures, including former NBA President Onueze Okocha (SAN), monarch Chief Sergent Awuse, and APC Deputy National Vice Chairman Chief Victor Giadom. The agenda, though undisclosed, reportedly focused on bridging the divide between Fubara and Wike’s camps to foster political cooperation.
Concerns were raised over the absence of Fubara’s loyalists, marking the second instance of a peace meeting dominated by Wike’s allies. A Fubara supporter, speaking anonymously, criticized the gathering as one-sided, noting the absence of key elders like Chief Rufus Ada-George and High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, who have backed the governor. In contrast, a Wike loyalist defended the meeting, arguing it aimed to reconnect Fubara with his “political roots,” referencing Wike’s role in his 2023 nomination.
Fubara, reinstated as governor on September 18 after a six-month emergency rule, has taken steps like dissolving the Rivers State Pensions Board and the state Microfinance Agency. Following the meeting, sources suggest he may soon submit commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening.
The Rivers Peace Initiative, led by Obinna Ebogidi, praised the dialogue as a step toward stability, urging patience and restraint. Ebogidi emphasized that peacebuilding requires mutual respect and broader participation, stating, “No one wins in a divided Rivers State. Everyone stands to gain from a peaceful, stable, and prosperous state.”
