Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have publicly declared peace after months of political tension in the state.
The two top politicians, who have been at the centre of a fierce power struggle in Rivers since late 2023, made a surprise joint appearance on Thursday night. The moment was captured by President Tinubu’s official videographer, Sunday Moses, and shared by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Wike, the former governor of Rivers and now FCT Minister, said:
“We have all agreed to work together. Everything is over. We are members of the same political family. As humans, we have disagreements. We also have time to settle the disagreements. There is no more acrimony. Everything is over. It’s a day we have to thank the Almighty.”
Governor Fubara also highlighted the need for lasting peace in the state, saying:
“It’s important that this day has come. What we need in Rivers is peace. We shall do everything in our power to sustain peace in Rivers State.”
The rift between the two leaders had caused a major political crisis in Rivers, leading to a divided state assembly and calls for intervention from the presidency. President Tinubu had earlier stepped in to mediate the conflict, leading to a fragile ceasefire agreement in December 2023.
While the Thursday night handshake has raised hopes, some political observers remain cautious, noting that peace in Nigerian politics is often short-lived.
For now, Rivers residents are watching closely, hopeful that this latest truce will bring stability and development back to the oil-rich state.
