Signs of a potential reconciliation between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his estranged political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have emerged after a closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt—but the absence of Fubara’s loyalists has fueled fresh doubts about unity within the state’s ruling class.
The high-level meeting, held late Saturday in Port Harcourt, was convened by the Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba. It brought together Wike, Fubara, state lawmakers, and several top politicians aligned with the former governor, but none of Fubara’s key allies were in attendance.
Sources revealed that the gathering focused on mending political fences and reuniting the divided camps of the FCT Minister and the governor, whose strained relationship has destabilized governance in the state for over a year.
Governor Fubara, who returned to office on September 18 following the suspension of emergency rule, has since taken steps to dismantle remnants of the administration set up during his six-month absence, including dissolving the state’s Pensions Board and Microfinance Agency.
Those present at the meeting included Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule; Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol; Senator Barry Mpigi; elder statesman Chief Sergent Awuse; former NBA President Onueze Okocha (SAN); and PDP Chairman, Chief Chukwuemeka Aaron, among others.
However, prominent pro-Fubara figures such as Chief Rufus Ada-George and Dr. Gabriel Toby were missing.
A source close to the governor described the meeting as “one-sided,” arguing that it lacked inclusivity and mirrored earlier peace talks allegedly dominated by Wike’s loyalists.
“If this is truly about reconciliation, then it should include those who stood by the governor when things were rough,” the source said.
Defending the gathering, a Wike loyalist maintained that the meeting marked the governor’s “return to his political family,” noting that “these are the same people who stood with Wike when he nominated Fubara in 2023.”
Insiders hinted that the governor might soon forward a new list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly, a move expected to consolidate his cabinet and possibly seal the ongoing peace efforts.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Peace Initiative has urged patience and restraint among political actors. Its convener, Obinna Ebogidi, described the renewed dialogue as “a vital step toward lasting stability and development.”
“Peacebuilding takes time,” Ebogidi said. “What matters most is that conversations have resumed. No one wins in a divided Rivers State—everyone benefits from peace and progress
