Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly confirmed that he has reconciled with his political principal and predecessor, Nyesom Wike, after months of tension and political uncertainty in the state. The governor disclosed this on Monday, September 22, 2025, following a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Fubara explained that the visit was primarily to brief the President on his official resumption of duties after the six-month suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State. He emphasized that he also came to seek guidance from the President in order to ensure that the state does not slide back into political crisis. [/p>
A Father-Son Discussion with Tinubu
Governor Fubara described his meeting with President Tinubu as more of a “father-and-son discussion” rather than a strictly political one. According to him, the President listened to his concerns, gave him words of encouragement, and shared advice on how to move Rivers State forward peacefully.
“You’re aware that the suspension was lifted midnight of the 17th, and I came in officially on the 19th. So ideally, it was proper for me to see Mr. President, tell him that I’m back, and that I’ve resumed my responsibilities as Governor of Rivers State. It was simply a father-and-son discussion — to say thank you to him and to also seek his wise counsel, so we don’t find ourselves in any situation that will cause another crisis,” Fubara said.
Reconciliation with Wike
When asked by State House correspondents whether genuine peace had finally returned to Rivers, Fubara responded with confidence, stressing that the rift with his predecessor had been resolved. “As far as I’m concerned, we have made peace. I and my principal are now working together,” he declared, signaling the end of the long-running political feud between the two camps.
Observers say the reconciliation is significant, given that the rift between Wike and Fubara had polarized the state’s political environment for several months, sparking protests, defections, and even a six-month emergency declaration by the federal government.
First Post-Suspension Visit to the Villa
Governor Fubara, dressed in a simple white caftan paired with a black cap, arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 6:20 pm for his first official meeting with Tinubu since the lifting of the state of emergency on September 18, 2025. The state of emergency, declared by the President on March 18, 2025, had suspended democratic institutions in Rivers and installed a sole administrator to manage affairs pending resolution of the crisis.
The six-month suspension was lifted after extensive consultations with stakeholders, mediations from top political figures, and assurances of restored peace between Fubara and Wike.
Tinubu Meets Other Political Leaders
Interestingly, Fubara’s visit coincided with a busy evening at the Villa, where President Tinubu also held separate meetings with other key political figures. These included the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji; and Finance Minister, Wale Edun.
The series of meetings, according to sources, centered on economic matters, security updates, and preparations for the upcoming National Economic Council session. However, the reconciliation between Fubara and Wike stood out as one of the most important developments of the day, as it signals a potential new chapter for stability in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara’s remarks have been widely interpreted as a peace offering that could pave the way for smooth governance and improved relations with both the federal government and his political allies at home.