In a fresh move toward peace and reconciliation, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday held a crucial meeting with members of the Rivers State Elders Council in Port Harcourt.
The high-level meeting, which took place behind closed doors, comes amid renewed political tension and unfolding developments in the state’s power dynamics.
Sources at the meeting venue disclosed that the discussion centered on ways to douse the lingering political rift that has polarized the state’s political class since late 2023.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and the Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, alongside several respected stakeholders drawn from across the state’s senatorial districts.
While details of the deliberations were not immediately made public, it was gathered that the elders emphasized the need for peace, mutual respect, and political stability, urging both Wike and Fubara to put the interests of Rivers people above personal or political differences.
Chief Alabraba, who presided over the session, reportedly appealed to both leaders to continue engaging in dialogue to prevent the deepening of divisions within the state’s political structure.
The meeting marks one of the most significant reconciliatory gestures since the crisis between the two political allies — Wike, the immediate past governor, and his successor, Fubara — became public.
Observers say the presence of both figures in the same room, alongside the elders and lawmakers, signals possible progress in ongoing peace efforts initiated by concerned leaders and stakeholders.
There are indications that more meetings may follow in the coming days as part of a broader move to restore cohesion within the ruling political family and ensure that governance in the state remains focused on development rather than political strife.
About Author
