Peace Meeting: Tinubu Agrees To Reinstates Fubara But Barred Him From 2027 Re-Election Bid – Report
President Bola Tinubu has resolved to reinstate the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on the condition that he will not contest for a second term in 2027, The Cable reported.
The agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday night.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Fubara, suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and a select group of lawmakers.
Sources in the presidency said the deal is part of efforts to restore political order in the oil-rich state, though it demands serious concessions from Fubara.
It was gathered that the governor will be allowed to complete his four-year tenure but must not seek re-election.
A source said, “The arrangement is clear: no second term, no local government control, and peace will return.”
Another insider added, “The president made it clear that Rivers cannot afford a prolonged crisis. The deal is about restoring calm, but it comes at a steep cost for Fubara.”
In addition, Wike is to nominate chairpersons for the 23 local government areas of the state.
A presidency source noted that this would “serve as significant political leverage, restoring grassroots control to the FCT minister.”
TheCable reported that Fubara also agreed to pay outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.
In return, the lawmakers will refrain from launching impeachment proceedings against him.
The lawmakers, who defected to the All Progressives Congress during the power struggle, had been suspended by the assembly but continued to lay claim to their seats.
Their status remains a subject of legal and political controversy.
According to a presidency source, “Wike is the real winner here. By controlling the local government chairmen, he retains significant influence over the state’s political machinery, which will be crucial for 2027.”
The political rift between Wike and Fubara has been rooted in the struggle for control of Rivers State’s political structure.
Wike, who governed the state for eight years, has fought to retain dominance, while Fubara has sought to assert himself as the sitting governor.
The power tussle led to an attempt to impeach Fubara and left the state assembly and other government institutions divided along factional lines.
President Tinubu had previously attempted to broker peace but failed.
In March, the president declared a state of emergency in the state.
He suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.
A retired naval chief, Ibok-Ette Ibas, was appointed as sole administrator of the state.
Fubara’s suspension is expected to lapse in September, six months after it began.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
