Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says the long-running feud with Siminalayi Fubara, suspended governor of Rivers State, has finally come to an end.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa on Thursday night, Wike addressed journalists after a peace session hosted by President Bola Tinubu to reconcile the warring factions.
Siminalayi Fubara, alongside some members of the Rivers House of Assembly, was also present at the closed-door meeting, which aimed to resolve the deep divisions within the state’s political structure.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us,” Wike said after the discussions.
“We are members of the same political family.
“Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have time to settle your disagreement, and that has been finally concluded today.
“We have come to report to Mr. President, that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over.
“There’s no more acrimony.”
Fubara, in his brief remarks, confirmed that the parties had reached common ground with help from Tinubu and state leaders.
“What we need for the progress of Rivers state is peace, and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of the president and the agreement with leaders of the state, peace has returned,” the suspended governor said.
“We’ll do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.”
The political clash between Wike and Fubara over who controls the state’s political framework had paralysed the Rivers legislature and triggered multiple court cases.
On March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for a period of six months.
Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval officer, was appointed as the state’s sole administrator — a move widely criticised by opposition figures and citizens alike.
Meanwhile, a Supreme Court case challenging the legality of the emergency proclamation is still ongoing.