President Bola Tinubu has brokered a political truce in Rivers State that will see suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara reinstated — but under a key condition: he must not seek re-election in 2027.
Sources close to the presidency told TheCable that the agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa.
Present at the meeting were Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Fubara; suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule; and a handful of pro-Wike lawmakers.
“The arrangement is clear: no second term, no local government control, and peace will return,” a source familiar with the negotiations said.
The terms of the deal, insiders say, are part of a broader presidential initiative to restore democratic order and end the protracted political crisis that has rocked the oil-rich state for months.
According to those privy to the discussions, Fubara agreed to complete his four-year term but must abandon any plans to contest the 2027 governorship election.
In a further concession, Wike will reportedly be allowed to handpick all 23 local government chairpersons — giving him renewed grassroots influence.
“Wike is the real winner here. By controlling the local government chairmen, he retains significant influence over the state’s political machinery, which will be crucial for 2027,” a presidency source revealed.
In addition, Fubara has reportedly consented to settle all outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, who were earlier suspended from the state assembly. In exchange, the lawmakers will abandon plans to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
“The president made it clear that Rivers cannot afford a prolonged crisis. The deal is about restoring calm, but it comes at a steep cost for Fubara,” another source said.
The suspended lawmakers — led by Amaewhule — had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the height of the power tussle but continued to insist on their legitimacy as lawmakers. Their status has remained a contentious point, both politically and legally.
Thursday night’s breakthrough is seen as Tinubu’s most decisive move yet to reconcile the two camps after previous peace efforts failed to yield lasting results.
