The lingering political standoff in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Thursday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is set to return to the state following the suspension of the six-month emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu.
Fubara, who was suspended by the president in March alongside his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly, is said to be out of the country.
However, Wike said that the Rivers State governor is now preparing to resume office amid renewed calls for peace.
Speaking on Channels Television, Wike confirmed that he has spoken with Fubara, adding that their feud is over.
“I have already said that we’ve been speaking. I will not engage with a man I have not forgiven. Everything is over. I am not a politician who says one thing today and another tomorrow. We must move forward,” Wike said.
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The FCT minister, however, accused unnamed political actors of fueling tension in the state by questioning the legality of the recent local government elections.
“Unfortunately, there are people who do not want peace. Today, I watched individuals twisting the law, claiming illegality in the conduct of local government elections. But ask them: what did they do to prevent such illegality in the first place? When you hear them pontificating and shouting, you would think they have solutions, yet they do nothing except attempt to create a crisis,” Wike added.
The former Rivers governor praised President Tinubu for suspending the emergency rule, saying the decision restored calm and created a pathway for reconciliation.
The development marks the first major public sign of truce between Wike and Fubara since their power struggle plunged Rivers into one of the most turbulent political crises in its history.