There are strong indications that democracy will soon be restored in Rivers State, as the main protagonists in the crisis that led to the prevailing state of emergency, imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu, have resolved their differences and agreed to work together.
In fact, the Federal Capital Territory minister and the immediate former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that he and his suspended successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have resolved their differences, and “we’ve all agreed to work together.”
He told reporters in an interview on Thursday night after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, together with Fubara and the suspended lawmakers of Rivers House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
Following a prolonged bloody and destructive political crisis in Rivers State, President Tinubu had on March 18, 2025 slammed a state of emergency on the state, suspended the governor, his deputy and the Rivers Assembly lawmakers, and indeed all the democratic institutions for a period of six months.
However, on Thursday, Wike, who was flanked by Fubara and Amaewhule, brightened the hope off democracy restoration, as he declared that the political crisis that resulted to the declaration of emergency in the state had been resolved.
In his words, “We have all agreed to work together. Everything is over. We are members of the same political family.
“As humans, we have disagreements. We also have time to settle the disagreements. There is no more acrimony. Everything is over. It’s a day we have to thank the Almighty.”
On his part, Fubara praised the President for the intervention, emphasizing the need to preserve stability and promising that they will work to sustain peace this henceforth.
The governor said, “It’s important that this day has come. What we need in Rivers is peace.
“We shall do everything in our power to sustain peace in Rivers State,” Fubara assured.
President Tinubu had on Thursday met with Fubara; members of the state House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule; and Wike in Abuja, where he reportedly reconciled the parties involved in the protracted political crisis rocking that state leading to his declaration of emergency in the state on March 18.
He had appointed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete, rtd, who was later approved by the National Assembly.
Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution for his decision, the president had 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.
Claiming that two governors had brought Fubara to beg him, he said he cied whenever he watched videos of Fubara’s speeches.
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.
