There are indications that the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, sparked by renewed impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, may soon ease following high-level peace talks involving Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the governor.
Sources confirmed that both men have separately met with a seven-member peace and reconciliation committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) to broker a truce and prevent further political instability in the state.
The committee, chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), first met with Wike in Abuja last Thursday before holding a three-hour meeting with Governor Fubara in Port Harcourt on Friday. It also engaged elders and political leaders aligned with both camps.
A source familiar with the meetings described them as “fruitful,” noting that the willingness of both parties to engage the panel has renewed hope of resolving the impasse.
“The fact that both Wike and Fubara agreed to meet the committee is a strong signal that the crisis can be resolved,” the source said.
Lawmakers’ Condition
Meanwhile, investigations revealed that the Rivers State lawmakers behind the impeachment move are seeking political guarantees—specifically, assurances of return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections—before completely dropping the impeachment process.
A key political player said the allegations of gross misconduct were largely a bargaining tool, adding that the lawmakers fear losing their seats amid shifting political loyalties in the state.
APC, Court Order, and Wider Fallout
The Rivers State chapter of the APC has urged the state’s Chief Judge to obey a High Court order restraining him from acting on the Assembly’s impeachment request, warning that the process could damage the party’s future in the state.
The crisis has also drawn ethnic and regional dimensions, with Ijaw groups publicly declaring support for Fubara and warning against his removal.
Background
The Wike–Fubara rift began shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023, evolving into a prolonged power struggle marked by legislative paralysis, court battles, and repeated impeachment attempts. Although President Bola Tinubu has intervened several times—including declaring and later lifting a six-month state of emergency—the conflict has continued to resurface.
With PANDEF now mediating and both sides showing signs of compromise, political observers say the coming days may determine whether Rivers State finally exits its prolonged cycle of crisis.
