President Bola Tinubu has once again intervened in the ongoing political crisis between Rivers State Governor, Siminalai Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to reliable sources, the President summoned Wike for an important meeting abroad in the fresh face-off, which has again escalated tensions in the oil-rich state.
According to The Punch, a top presidential source revealed on Saturday that the meeting is expected to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Tinubu will visit after a brief stay in France.
“The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing. I know he has called him for a meeting in Dubai. Barring any last-minute changes, he is expected to meet abroad. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to give orders,” the source said.
The source said Wike's recent actions are an insult to the President and could potentially create unrest in the Niger Delta.
He warned, “If you say you want to fire the first Ijaw man to become governor, are you not sending Ijaw people back to the creeks? This will impact the economy and the President will not let that happen.”
Also read: Impeachment process underway against Fubara, deputy, no plans to return – Rivers Assembly
According to reports, tensions escalated after 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike on Thursday initiated fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu.
The impeachment notice read by Majority Leader Major Jack during the plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amewule contained seven charges of gross misconduct against the governor.
These include demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary expenditure and refusal to comply with the Supreme Court judgment on legislative financial autonomy.
Lieutenant Governor Odoo was accused of “reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds” and “preventing the Assembly from performing its duties”.
Speaker Amewuhle described the impeachment move as “good and in the interest of Rivers State”, accusing Fubara of weakening the Assembly by failing to present the 2026 budget.
The latest move mirrors the earlier impeachment crisis which led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers in March 2025.
Despite Tinubu's earlier mediation, the fragile peace between Wike and Fubara broke down just months after the end of the six-month emergency rule.
Wike accused Fubara of reneging on post-ceasefire agreements, while Fubara made subtle attacks on his predecessor.
The rift has since deepened, with Wike vowing that Fubara will not be able to secure a second term even after joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A senior presidential aide told reporters that Tinubu was aware of the escalating situation, but declined to confirm any planned meeting with Wike.
“Only Wike or his aides can say whether there is any scheduled meeting between him and the President or not,” the official said.
However, a senior APC official confirmed that national leaders of the party planned to meet Tinubu upon his return to Nigeria to discuss the growing discontent over Wike's conduct.
“Some of our leaders believe that Wike should have respected the President and the party because Fubara is now one of our governors,” the official said. “Even though he will not get a second term, he should still be allowed to complete his term.”
Another member of the APC National Working Committee described Wike's actions as “a display of disregard for the President, the APC and the national interest”.
“For a minister to instigate actions that could lead to insecurity and breakdown of law and order shows a lack of respect for the President,” the official said.
He said Wike's public outcry and frequent political tours were “presenting the President as weak.”
An aide to the minister, who spoke anonymously, denied that Wike had any involvement in the impeachment plot.
“Those accusing the minister of disrespecting the President are mischievous. Wike is Mr President's number one supporter,” he said.
The aide confirmed that the minister would return to Abuja on Sunday, without confirming whether he would meet Tinubu abroad.
Former Rivers East senator Andrew Uchendu described the crisis as an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State and called for all-inclusive dialogue to end the feud.
“Mr President should intervene and call the parties to order,” Uchendu said.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, also commented, saying that prayer and fasting may be the only thing that can save Fubara from impeachment.
“I am not a prophet, but so many prayers and fasting will be the only thing that can save Fubara,” Fayose said on Channels Television's Politics Today.
He urged Fubara to be more sociable, saying that being ungrateful and ungrateful would cause so many headaches for anyone.
The emergency rule in Rivers State was a relief to Fubara because once you are impeached, that is the end.
Meanwhile, Wike, during a “thank you” visit to Andoni Local Government Area on Friday, called for unity among political leaders in Rivers State.
He said the state has moved beyond partisan politics to what he described as the “Rainbow Coalition” under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We have no party in Rivers State. We have Rainbow Coalition under the Renewed Hope Family,” Wike declared.
“I want you all to continue to play the role that you played in 2023 and ensure that we continue to support Tinubu. There will be no negotiations about this,” he said.
