Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara met with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja on June 10, 2025, reigniting efforts to resolve their political rift. The talks followed President Tinubu’s refusal to lift the state’s emergency rule during his Democracy Day speech, disappointing Fubara’s supporters. Meanwhile, Rivers’ National Assembly caucus condemned Senator Seriake Dickson for calling the emergency rule "undemocratic," defending it as a constitutional necessity.
• Fubara’s Abuja visit marks his second reconciliation attempt since his April 2025 meeting with Wike.
• Rivers lawmakers accused Dickson of "ethnic bigotry" and undermining peace, citing his alleged role in Fubara’s suspension.
• Supreme Court’s February 2025 ruling affirmed the emergency rule, citing governance breakdown under Fubara’s administration.
Why does Rivers’ crisis defy quick fixes? The Wike-Fubara feud exposes Nigeria’s deeper struggle with godfather politics, where personal loyalties often eclipse governance. While emergency rule restored order, it also silenced democratic voices, raising questions: Can peace endure without addressing systemic flaws? For Rivers’ citizens, the real test isn’t just reconciliation between two men, but institutional reforms to prevent future crises.
