Barring any last-minute changes, President Bola Tinubu is set to formally reinstate Siminalayi Fubara as the executive governor of Rivers State on October 1, 2025, ending months of political tension in the oil-rich state.
The decision, which follows intense negotiations behind closed doors, is part of a broader peace deal brokered by the Presidency to restore stability and ensure the smooth functioning of governance in the state.
Recall, President Tinubu had brokered a truce two weeks ago at the Presidential Villa, where he hosted Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Fubara; Martin Amaewhule, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers Assembly; and a handful of lawmakers.
Highly placed sources familiar with the development told The Witness that the formal announcement will be made by the President during his national broadcast to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day on October 1.
As part of the deal, Fubara is expected to carry out a major shake-up in his executive council to accommodate members of Wike’s political family. The planned reconstitution of the state executive council is said to be part of the terms of reconciliation between the suspended governor and his political godfather and predecessor. The source told our correspondent that this position is expected to feature in the President’s broadcast reinstating the suspended governor.
We gathered that part of the terms of the reconciliation include the renomination and recommendation of new commissioners, special advisers, and board members to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation, once the assembly reconvenes at the complex currently under reconstruction.
Completion of the ongoing rebuilding of the demolished assembly complex is also said to be a condition for reinstating both the executive and the legislature. In addition, the Local Government Area elections and inauguration are to be concluded before the reinstatement.
Fubara is also expected to select some of his nominees for the new executive council from Wike’s political family, in the spirit of true reconciliation.
Our correspondent was also informed that part of the deal stipulates that none of the principal actors in the crisis must be reappointed or appointed into the state executive council or any other sensitive position — a condition Fubara has sworn to uphold.
Our correspondent gathered that there is heavy lobbying within supporters of Fubara, codenamed the ‘Simplified Movement’, over who gets what.
THE WIKE-FUBARA FACE-OFF
The political rift between Fubara and Wike, his predecessor, has largely centred on control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.
While Wike has sought to maintain a firm grip on the political machinery he built over eight years as governor, Fubara has pushed back to assert his authority as the sitting governor.
The power struggle triggered a political crisis in the state, destabilising governance and culminating in attempts to impeach Fubara.
Key institutions, including the state assembly, have been caught in the crossfire, with factions aligning with either Wike or Fubara. Previous attempts by Tinubu to broker peace between the two camps had hit a brick wall.
Consequently, on March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the prolonged political crisis. He also suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers Assembly for six months.
The President appointed Ibok-Ette Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator. By September, Fubara will have completed his six-month suspension.
