President Bola Tinubu successfully mediated a resolution to the political crisis in Rivers State during a critical meeting on June 26 with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers.
The agreement aims to end the state of emergency declared in March 2025, triggered by a rift between Fubara and Wike that culminated in a blast damaging the Trans-Niger Pipeline, costing Nigeria $14 million daily in oil revenue.
The conflict, rooted in tensions between Fubara’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC), led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state assembly for six months. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed sole administrator, a move criticized by the Nigerian Bar Association and PDP governors as unconstitutional due to incomplete National Assembly approval.
Tinubu’s intervention facilitated dialogue, with Fubara committing to restore democratic governance by July 2025. The agreement includes reinstating the state assembly and executive, alongside forming a joint committee to oversee the reconstruction of the assembly complex, demolished in 2023 after an earlier explosion.
The resolution addresses Rivers’ economic challenges, with the state losing 20% of its oil output in Q1 2025. Tinubu emphasized unity, urging both parties to prioritize development over personal disputes. Fubara, speaking at a Port Harcourt church service on June 22, expressed optimism for stability, while Wike pledged to support federal initiatives in Rivers, including a $500 million port expansion.
The deal strengthens Tinubu’s reputation as a mediator, potentially bolstering APC’s influence in the oil-rich state ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts expect the committee to allocate N10 billion for rebuilding efforts, aiming to restore governance and curb unrest that displaced 5,000 residents in 2024.
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