Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Rivers State’s protracted political crisis appears to be edging toward a fragile détente as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, separately engaged a peace and reconciliation committee established by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF). The initiative, aimed at resolving an intensifying impeachment threat, reflects growing pressure for a negotiated solution to a dispute that has paralyzed governance in Nigeria’s oil-rich state.
The rift between Fubara and Wike has dominated Rivers State politics since early 2023, when friction between the incumbent governor and his former political benefactor escalated into open conflict. Once allies in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the pair’s relationship fractured amid disputes over political control, legislative cooperation, and implementation of agreements they had struck to manage the state’s affairs. The fallout has triggered recurrent legislative standoffs, legal confrontations, and nationwide attention to the enduring crisis.
In a concerted effort to quell the turmoil, the Agabi Peace Committee — a seven-member panel led by Senior Advocate Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) — first met with Wike in Abuja late last week. Following that engagement, the same committee held a three-hour session with Governor Fubara in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The meetings were part of a broader reconciliation push that also involved consultations with the Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council and leaders from both political camps. Sources familiar with the process described the dialogue as “fruitful,” and indicative of a renewed willingness on all sides to seek a peaceful resolution rather than further political confrontation.
Officials and stakeholders monitoring the discussions said the engagements have fostered a “real renewed hope” that the political impasse may be de-escalated. The elderly leaders who make up the PANDEF committee are widely respected in the Niger Delta region, and their involvement has introduced a level of gravitas and regional ownership to the reconciliation efforts. Their mandate is to produce a comprehensive report and workable solution proposals within two weeks, a timeline that underscores urgency to contain the crisis before it spills over into wider instability.
However, the state’s lawmakers have linked their willingness to pause impeachment proceedings to political assurances they want extracted from the governor. Investigations suggest that at least some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including those who previously advocated for a political approach rather than impeachment, have conditioned their support for halting the impeachment on guarantees that they will secure party tickets for the 2027 general elections. According to informed sources, these lawmakers are reportedly wary of their political futures following Fubara’s defection from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in December. Ensuring safe return tickets for the next election appears to be a key demand in negotiations with the governor.
The impeachment threat against Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, stems from allegations of gross misconduct, a charge the embattled governor’s camp has consistently denied. In parallel with political negotiations, legal battles have shaped the crisis’s trajectory. A Rivers State High Court recently issued an interim injunction restraining the state’s Chief Judge from receiving or acting on impeachment correspondence from the Assembly, temporarily halting formal impeachment action. This judicial intervention has further underscored the complex interplay between legal remedies and political maneuvering in the protracted conflict.
As negotiations continue, key political actors are also navigating the crisis’s broader implications for power dynamics in Rivers State and beyond. Fubara’s shift to the APC has altered traditional party alignments, generating unease among some lawmakers about their electoral prospects. Simultaneously, Wike — a veteran of Rivers politics — is believed to be seeking assurances of his own political continuity, including the possibility of retaining or regaining ministerial influence in future political configurations. These intertwined ambitions have complicated the reconciliation process even as formal dialogue advances.
Despite the fierce political contestation, voices advocating for restraint have emerged from within the legislature itself. In a separate development, some lawmakers, including the House Majority Leader and representatives from various constituencies, urged colleagues to temper the impeachment drive with leniency. They cited the importance of dialogue and the need to avert governance paralysis, framing their appeal as a call for constitutional adherence and peaceful resolution.
The involvement of PANDEF and elders from the Niger Delta reflects broader concerns about the political instability’s potential to undermine regional cohesion and development. The Niger Delta — a key economic hub due to its oil resources — has historically been sensitive to political unrest, which can have ripple effects on national energy security and investor confidence. As such, stakeholders both within and outside the state have emphasised the urgency of a resolution that balances accountability, political stability, and democratic norms.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has also been drawn into the crisis on multiple occasions, seeking to mediate and stabilise the situation. In March 2025, Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending both the governor and the Assembly amid escalating tension. A sole administrator was appointed to manage the state’s affairs for that period, intended as a temporary measure to restore order. The state of emergency was lifted later that year, but the underlying political frictions resurfaced, leading to the latest impeachment threat and reconciliation efforts.
The intricate web of political strategies, legal interventions, and reconciliation talks has generated mixed reactions from residents, political analysts, and civic groups. Some observers see the current peace dialogue as a promising step toward stabilising Rivers State, commending the involvement of respected elders and the tentative willingness of political principals to engage constructively. Others remain sceptical, pointing to persistent political expedients such as electoral positioning and personal ambitions that may undermine genuine conflict resolution. Debate persists over whether the crisis reflects structural governance challenges or is predominantly a manifestation of personal and factional interests.
As the PANDEF panel continues its work and lawmakers negotiate the terms of political cooperation, the future of the impeachment threat remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the crisis has underscored enduring tensions within Nigeria’s federal political landscape, illustrating how local disputes can draw in national actors, legal institutions, and regional powerbrokers. The ongoing engagement signals a cautious optimism among stakeholders that political dialogue, rather than confrontation, can pave the way for a more stable governance environment in Rivers State ahead of the pivotal 2027 elections.
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