In a significant effort to end months of political tension, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has visited his estranged political benefactor, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, at his private home in what elders are calling “a necessary sacrifice for peace.” The closed-door meeting, which took place Sunday evening, saw Fubara accompanied by two governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as he sought to mend his fractured relationship with Wike, who helped install him as governor before their very public falling out last year.
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a prominent Rivers elder and former PANDEF spokesman, praised Fubara’s humility in initiating the meeting, telling reporters: “The governor wants peace – it is Wike who doesn’t want peace. You can’t get peace without sacrifice.” However, Wike maintained during a Monday press briefing that Fubara’s political troubles were “self-inflicted,” recalling how he and four other PDP governors had previously warned the embattled leader about his governing style.
Key Details of the Feud
▪️ Origins: Wike handpicked Fubara as successor before bitter 2023 fallout
▪️ Past Mediation: 4 PDP governors failed to reconcile them last year
▪️ Current Status: First known private meeting since conflict began
Why This Matters
► Controls fate of Nigeria’s oil-rich state with 5.7 million residents
► Tests whether political godfatherism still dominates Nigerian politics
► Could influence 2027 election preparations in Rivers
What’s Next?
- Watch for cabinet changes or policy shifts signaling true reconciliation
- Possible ripple effects in FCT administration under Wike
- Both sides preparing statements on meeting outcomes
