President Bola Tinubu has again stepped in to halt the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, ordering an immediate suspension of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara while laying down strict conditions aimed at restoring political stability in the state.
The intervention follows renewed efforts by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to impeach Fubara. The lawmakers accused the governor of several alleged misconducts, including the spending of funds not appropriated by the state legislature.
The political feud between Fubara and Wike, his predecessor and long-time political benefactor, has continued to deepen since the beginning of the year. Tensions worsened in January when the impeachment process was formally initiated, signaling a new phase in the protracted power struggle that has dominated Rivers State politics.
Sources familiar with the latest intervention said President Tinubu acted just before departing for an official visit to Türkiye on January 26. During the intervention, the president reportedly issued clear directives to both camps in a bid to prevent further deterioration of governance in the oil-rich state.
According to reports by ThisDay, the president ordered that all impeachment moves against Governor Fubara be halted immediately. However, the directive was accompanied by firm political terms designed to enforce a fragile peace between the two rival political figures.
One of the key messages delivered to Governor Fubara, according to multiple sources, was that Nyesom Wike remains the undisputed political leader in Rivers State. Tinubu was said to have stressed that Wike holds significant influence across party lines, whether in the All Progressives Congress or the Peoples Democratic Party, and must be accorded due respect.
The president was reportedly displeased by the depth of the rift, particularly given his earlier attempts to reconcile both men. Tinubu was said to have warned that persistent hostilities between the governor and his predecessor would continue to undermine governance and destabilize the state.
Sources said Tinubu made it clear that he would not tolerate any situation that could further disrupt peace and administrative stability in Rivers State. The state is widely regarded as politically strategic, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is not the first time the president has intervened in the Rivers political crisis. In December 2023, Tinubu brokered a peace agreement between Fubara and Wike after weeks of intense political confrontation. That agreement, however, quickly collapsed as mistrust and political maneuvering resurfaced.
Following the breakdown of that earlier peace deal, the crisis reportedly escalated, culminating in Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. The declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, further highlighting the severity of the conflict and its implications for governance.
In the latest intervention, President Tinubu was also said to have directly instructed Wike to back off from any impeachment plans and allow Governor Fubara to carry out his constitutional responsibilities without obstruction. The directive was reportedly aimed at de-escalating tensions and preventing a total breakdown of political order in the state.
The president warned that continued political infighting would only harm the interests of Rivers State residents and weaken public confidence in government. He emphasized the need for cooperation and political restraint in order to ensure stability and effective governance.
While the immediate impact of Tinubu’s latest directive remains to be seen, political observers say the intervention underscores the federal government’s concern over the crisis and its potential consequences. The relationship between Fubara and Wike continues to shape the political climate in Rivers State, with implications that extend beyond the state’s borders.
For now, the impeachment process has been halted, but the underlying tensions remain unresolved, leaving the future of the political alliance in Rivers State uncertain.
