Wike Hosts Fubara in First Meeting Since Governor Dropped Second-Term Bid

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hosted Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his Port Harcourt residence, marking the first meeting between the two politicians since Fubara withdrew from the 2027 governorship race.

The meeting, held on Sunday, is coming amid ongoing efforts to consolidate the reconciliation between the former political allies following their prolonged dispute, which sharply divided Rivers State.

Wike was joined at the meeting by the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, and the Chairman of the Rainbow Coalition Reconciliation Committee, Magnus Abe.

Fubara was accompanied by former APC Deputy National Chairman, Sam Jaja.

The meeting follows Wike’s recent declaration that his political feud with Fubara had ended, with the minister saying the governor had agreed to return to the political family that supported his emergence in 2023.

The relationship between both men deteriorated shortly after Fubara assumed office, triggering a political crisis that led to impeachment proceedings against the governor by lawmakers loyal to Wike.

The dispute eventually culminated in President Bola Tinubu declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.

Following the truce, Fubara joined the APC and aligned with the Wike-backed Rainbow Coalition.

As part of efforts to deepen the reconciliation, Wike constituted a committee headed by Abe to engage Fubara and his supporters.

Fubara has since endorsed Chinda as his preferred successor in the 2027 governorship election and declared support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He had earlier been screened alongside Chinda for the APC governorship primary but later withdrew, citing the need to promote peace and unity in Rivers State.

Chinda subsequently emerged as the APC’s sole candidate for the governorship election.