Rivers Saga: Wike Absent As Fubara Meets Tinubu In London
In a surprising turn in the ongoing Rivers State political crisis, President Bola Tinubu reportedly held a private meeting with the embattled and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara in London, a move that may signal a shift in the power dynamics rocking the oil-rich state.
The confidential talks, initiated by Fubara according to The Africa Report, are believed to have focused on de-escalating the deepening political crisis in the oil-rich state.
OSUN DEFENDER reported that President Tinubu in a national broadcast on March 18, lamented “months of intense political instability” in Rivers that had “paralysed governance” and “threatened national stability” as justification for the emergency measures. He subsequently appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), a former Chief of Naval Staff, as sole administrator of the state.
Though details remain closely guarded by the Presidency, sources familiar with the development described the encounter as both strategic and unprecedented, marking the first face-to-face dialogue between the two leaders since Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state in March.
According to insider accounts, the London meeting focused on de-escalating the crisis and charting a path toward restoring full democratic governance in the state. Options reportedly discussed included Fubara’s potential reinstatement, signaling a possible reconsideration of the emergency measures.
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Conspicuously absent from the talks was Nyesom Wike, Fubara’s former political mentor and now a central figure in the unfolding crisis. Wike’s exclusion from the meeting has reportedly raised concerns within his camp, as it could indicate waning influence over Rivers State’s
While the Presidency has yet to make an official statement, the development has set political observers abuzz, with many speculating that Tinubu may be pivoting away from Wike’s influence in search of a more stable solution to the Rivers deadlock.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
