PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at the minister’s residence in Port Harcourt, in what marked the first known meeting between the two politicians since Fubara announced his decision not to seek a second term as governor.
The meeting is coming amid renewed efforts to consolidate the reconciliation between the former political allies, whose relationship deteriorated shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023.
Wike was accompanied to the meeting by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, and Chairman of the Rainbow Coalition Reconciliation Committee, Magnus Abe.
On his part, Fubara was accompanied by former APC Deputy National Chairman, Sam Jaja.
The meeting is believed to be part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the political rapprochement between Wike and Fubara following their prolonged dispute, which plunged Rivers State into a major political crisis.
The crisis, which began soon after Fubara assumed office, led to a bitter struggle between the governor and lawmakers loyal to Wike. The confrontation escalated to impeachment proceedings against Fubara and culminated in President Bola Tinubu declaring a six-month state of emergency in the state.
The political crisis was eventually followed by a truce between the two camps, with Fubara subsequently aligning with the APC and the Rainbow Coalition associated with Wike.
Wike had earlier announced that the dispute between him and Fubara had ended, following which a reconciliation committee headed by Abe was established to engage the governor and his supporters.
Fubara has since expressed support for the Rainbow Coalition and endorsed Chinda as his preferred successor in the 2027 governorship election.
He has also declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election and urged his supporters to back the President and other candidates of the coalition.
Fubara had initially participated in the screening process alongside Chinda for the APC governorship primary but later withdrew from the race, saying his decision was taken in the interest of peace and unity in Rivers State.
Following his withdrawal, Chinda became the sole aspirant and subsequently emerged as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Sunday’s meeting between Fubara and Wike is therefore being closely watched as another significant step in the unfolding political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections in Rivers State.
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