By Samuel Eugene
Tensions in oil-rich Rivers State may be easing after weeks of political uncertainty and protests.
Behind closed doors, President Tinubu and Fubara have reportedly engaged in quiet diplomacy that could reshape the region’s leadership.
President Bola Tinubu, according to The Africa Report, met with Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, whom he suspended on 18 March,
Two aides to the president confirmed that the meeting took place in London last week, shortly after Tinubu left Paris.
The meeting, it was learnt, was at the request of Governor Fubara, who has been desperate to return to office since the president declared a state of emergency in oil-rich Rivers State.
Suspension soon to be lifted?
“It is true. Governor Fubara held a private meeting with the president last week. Fubara has promised to make some compromises. Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” said an adviser to the president.
Another presidential aide said Fubara was also open to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to ingratiate himself with the president and then obtain cover.
“If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” he said.
The Africa Report said that Fubara’s estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, was not part of the meeting and was uncomfortable with such meetings taking place behind his back.
However, Tinubu is expected to broker a meeting between Fubara, Wike, and the Rivers State lawmakers to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the state.
Background
The president had on 18 March, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State for six months, just hours after two oil pipelines exploded.
Security officials traced the explosion to a longstanding feud between Governor Fubara and 27 state lawmakers who are loyal to Wike, the current minister of the Federal Capital.
The state lawmakers had, at Wike’s prodding, resolved to impeach the governor for constitutional breaches, including the alleged bombing of the state parliament building.
With Nigeria relying on oil receipts for about 60% of government revenue and 90% of its foreign exchange, the Tinubu administration decided to declare a state of emergency to save the state from descending into anarchy.
He followed up by appointing former naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State with full powers to act as governor.
The move was criticised by organised labour, the opposition, the Nigerian Bar Association and several media organisations.
Former vice president and opposition leader Atiku Abubakar described the move as a power grab ahead of the 2027 election.
But Tinubu argued that he had the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency even though he had criticised president Olusegun Obasanjo when he took a similar action in 2005. Tinubu’s declaration was endorsed by parliament.
Since Fubara’s suspension, however, there have been weekly protests in Rivers State and cases instituted in court, but the governor has been criticised for not taking a tougher stance.
In his Easter message, Governor Fubara called on the people of Rivers State to continue to support Tinubu.
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