The suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may soon return to office following a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London, where both leaders discussed how to resolve the political crisis in the state.
Fubara reportedly requested the meeting with the President, who has been in Europe for an 18-day retreat. According to The Africa Report, the governor pledged to make some compromises to reduce political tension in the oil-rich state.
A senior presidential aide confirmed, “It is true. Governor Fubara held a private meeting with the President last week. Fubara has promised to make some compromises. Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline.”
Sources say the governor is also considering leaving the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that could strengthen Tinubu’s political influence in Rivers State.
“If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” another presidential aide told the French-based publication.
This meeting was the first direct contact between Tinubu and Fubara since the president declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18. At the time, Tinubu cited “months of intense political instability” that had “paralysed governance” and “threatened national stability.”
The emergency rule saw Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, removed from office and replaced by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of the state.
The crisis in Rivers began as a power struggle between Fubara and his former political mentor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The tension worsened when Fubara ordered the demolition of the House of Assembly building in December 2023, leading to conflict over the legitimacy of the lawmakers.
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In February 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike who had defected from the PDP to the APC. The court declared Fubara’s actions unconstitutional and accused him of ruling without legislative oversight.
Despite the ruling, governance in the state has remained stalled, with no state budget passed for 2025. Tensions grew further after two separate explosions hit the Trans Niger Pipeline and another facility in March, prompting security concerns.
President Tinubu agreed to meet Fubara following reports that militants supporting the suspended governor were behind the pipeline vandalism.
While no official details of the London meeting have been released, sources say Fubara could return to office before his suspension ends in September.
Wike, who was not invited to the meeting, is said to be uneasy about the talks between Fubara and the president.
However, Tinubu is expected to meet with Fubara, Wike, and lawmakers in the coming weeks to find a lasting political solution for Rivers State.