Wike Confirms He Spoke with Fubara, Declares Peace Restored in Rivers after Emergency Rule

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has stated that he spoke with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday, ahead of the termination of the six-month emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu. Wike said this conversation signals a return to stability in the state, with all political stakeholders aligning toward peace and governance.

In multiple public appearances, Wike emphasized that tensions that had persisted in Rivers State between the executive and legislative branches have eased. He described visible steps, including recent actions by the State Assembly, as proof that peace now governs political relationships in the state.

The emergency proclamation was declared on March 18, 2025 by President Tinubu amid a prolonged standoff between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly. The disagreement involved accusations of improper legislative practices and obstruction of governance.

Under the emergency rule, Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state legislature were suspended. Former Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) was appointed sole administrator. For months, governance in the state was held in limbo as key institutions lay idle.

President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule on September 17, 2025, declaring that recent intelligence showed a renewed spirit of cooperation among political actors. The directive reinstated Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume official duties.

Wike’s Message

Wike said that he has forgiven Fubara, insisting that friction between them is over, and that personal or political grudges must give way to collective state development. He dismissed speculation about who initiated reconciliation; what matters, he stressed, is that the conflict has ended.

When asked about when exactly Fubara must resume work, Wike said no law mandates an immediate return. He noted that the governor has control over when and how he resumes office.

Wike also criticized segments of the political landscape that, he said, continue to sow discord by amplifying disputes, especially over the legality of the recent local government elections. He challenged critics to show what they had done during the crisis to prevent governance paralysis instead of merely criticizing afterward.

What Comes Next

With the emergency rule now lifted, citizens in Rivers anticipate a return to regular governance. Governor Fubara, Wike said, is ready to resume his role, although his immediate participation was not confirmed at the time of the interview.

Observers note that the smooth resumption of legislative functions and executive-legislative cooperation will be key tests for lasting peace. Moreover, whether this moment leads to measurable progress in public services and civic trust remains to be seen.

President Tinubu’s lifting of the emergency order, backed by intelligence reports of improved stakeholder relations and a restored sense of order, suggests that federal authorities believe the conditions that led to the emergency have changed sufficiently.

Peace, Wike concluded, is not just an absence of conflict but a shared commitment among Rivers State’s political actors to move the state forward. “We must move forward,” he said