In a move to restore democracy in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday met with the suspended Governor Similanayi Fubara; members of the state House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike .
At the meeting, held in Abuja, he reportedly reconciled the parties involved in the protracted political crisis that resulted in a declaration of emergency in the state on March 18.
After a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, the President had slammed a state of emergency on the state, suspended the governor, deputy, and state assembly members, and appointed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete, rtd, who was later approved by the National Assembly.
Tinubu, who blamed the governor while citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution for his decision, stated that the political crisis in Rivers posed a threat not just to security but also to the national economy.
However, the emergency rule declaration in Rivers State sparked outrage from political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their governors, pressure groups within and outside the state, other politicians, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Weeks after his suspension, Fubara broke his silence at an event in honour of the late elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, saying his spirit had left the government house for a long time, and the people should stop making a fuss about his reinstatement.
Also, in an interview with select journalists in Abuja, Wike also stated that he never supported the state of emergency by Tinubu because the governor was almost impeached. However, he said that Tinubu’s action saved Fubara.
However, while neither the presidency nor the parties at the meeting have made any comment regarding the meeting, pictures suggest that the president has been able to reconcile the governor with the FCT minister and assembly members.
