ABUJA, Nigeria — Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has confirmed that suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara visited him in Abuja last month to seek reconciliation, as the political crisis in the oil-rich state continues to unfold.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Monday, May 12, 2025, Wike said Fubara’s visit was facilitated by two governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite Fubara being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Yes, he (Fubara) came with two governors and another person, but unfortunately, the two of them are APC governors,” Wike stated.
“He said he wants peace, and I said I want peace too.”
The revelation adds a new dimension to the ongoing standoff between Wike and Fubara, which erupted publicly in late 2023 and escalated to the point that President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers State in March 2025.
Tinubu also suspended Fubara and his deputy for six months and appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
Fubara was reported to have met with President Tinubu in London in April to discuss a resolution to the crisis.
His subsequent visit to Wike is the first confirmed direct outreach between the two principal figures in the impasse.
However, Wike expressed scepticism about Fubara’s willingness and capacity to genuinely pursue peace, pointing to continued public demonstrations and media attacks by Fubara’s supporters.
“There are steps,” Wike said.
“You people think this is about just saying, ‘I want peace,’ and then you go. What that means is that there’s an open window for you—take the necessary steps to show you want peace.”
He further claimed that Fubara had ignored advice offered by a group of senior political figures—including Governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and David Umahi—who had warned him early in the crisis to avoid internal conflicts.
“This is a self-inflicted injury. He doesn’t need it,” Wike said.
“When this crisis started, I called him… we sat him down and said, ‘This is not good for you. God has given it to you; don’t allow people to push you.’”
Wike suggested that some governors were influencing Fubara’s decisions behind the scenes, further complicating reconciliation efforts.
“I told him, ‘I don’t think you have the capacity to make peace. Your people are demonstrating every day, going on television to insult people.’ You must show, by conduct and action, that you want it,” he said.
The comments come a day after Fubara, speaking at a service of songs in honour of the late elder statesman Edwin Clark, said he was not desperate to return to office.
“If I had my way, I would say this is it. This is the will of God. I don’t wish to go back there. My spirit has left that place,” the suspended governor said.
Fubara also cautioned his supporters against politicising his suspension, expressing concern that their actions may have worsened the crisis.
