The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, met on Saturday with prominent members of the Rivers State Elders Council in Port Harcourt, signalling what appears to be a renewed move toward reconciliation and political stability in the state.
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, among other key political figures.
The meeting comes months after political tensions between Wike and Fubara led to a major crisis in the state, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency on March 18, 2025. The governor was reinstated on September 18, 2025, following the lifting of the emergency.
Photos from the meeting were released on Sunday morning by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to the FCT Minister, via his official X handle.
According to Olayinka, the gathering demonstrated unity within the state’s political structure.
“FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other leaders met in Port Harcourt yesterday,” Olayinka posted.
“The political family is fully united,” he added.
Although Olayinka did not disclose details of the discussions or any resolutions reached, political observers view the meeting as an important step in mending strained relationships among the state’s top political stakeholders.
A source close to one of the participants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the meeting as “a positive signal” that both camps are ready to “put the past behind and focus on governance.”
“It may not be the end of the crisis, but this is clearly a significant effort toward peace. What Rivers people need now is stability and unity,” the source said.
The meeting has sparked optimism among political watchers who hope it will mark a turning point in restoring harmony between the FCT Minister and the Governor after months of rift and tension that shook the state’s political foundation.
