Rivers crisis: Tinubu summons Wike as FCT minister’s men battle Fubara

President Bola Tinubu has again stepped into the deepening political rift between  Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, amid fresh impeachment threats against the governor.

Highly placed sources confirmed that the President has summoned Wike over the Rivers crisis, with the meeting expected to hold outside Nigeria. A source close to Tinubu disclosed that discussions were being planned while the President remains abroad.

Findings also revealed that Fubara travelled out of the country on Thursday aboard a private jet, reportedly heading to France, where he plans to meet with the President.

The renewed intervention follows the initiation of another impeachment process against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said to be loyal to Wike.

At plenary on Thursday, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice alleging gross misconduct against the governor. The allegations included the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the House.

READ ALSO: APC national secretary asks Wike to resign over interference in Rivers politics

Odu was also accused of reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing legislative duties, and conniving to allow unauthorised individuals to occupy offices without Assembly screening.

Amaewhule said the notice would be served on Fubara within seven days and adjourned plenary until January 15, describing the impeachment notice as “good and in the interest of Rivers State.” He accused the governor of refusing to present the 2026 budget, which he said undermined the authority of the legislature.

The accusations mirror those earlier raised before Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025, which led to the six-month suspension of the governor and his deputy. Tinubu had previously mediated, leading to a truce between Wike and Fubara, but tensions resurfaced barely three months after emergency rule ended.

Reacting to the fresh impeachment plot, a top source said Tinubu had already stepped in.
“The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing, though I am aware that he has summoned him to a meeting in Dubai. You know the President is currently out of the country. Barring any last-minute change, they are expected to meet abroad. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order,” he said.

The source described the situation as an affront to the President and warned of possible unrest in the Niger Delta.

“What is happening is outright disrespect to the President by Wike, and it is against national interest. One of the reasons a state of emergency was declared in Rivers in March last year was the fear of a breakdown of law and order and the attendant consequences for oil production.

“If you say you want to sack the first Ijaw man to be governor, are you not sending the Ijaw people back to the creeks? That will have attendant effects on the economy, and the President will not allow that to happen.”

However, a senior presidential aide said he was unaware of any scheduled meeting with Wike, adding that Tinubu was currently in France and expected to proceed to Abu Dhabi.

“Only Wike or his aides can say if there is any scheduled meeting between him and the President,” the aide said.

“When Fubara was moving to the APC, he met with the President, who approved his decision. The President also confirms that governors are the leaders of the party in their states.”

At the APC national secretariat, a senior administrative official said party leaders were unhappy with the unfolding situation and planned to engage Tinubu upon his return.

“The discussion here is about how our leaders will meet the President when he returns to the country. They are unhappy that Wike is threatening Fubara like when they were both in the PDP.”

Another APC official warned that Wike’s actions were damaging the party and the Presidency.
“For a minister to instigate actions likely to lead to insecurity and a breakdown of law and order shows a lack of regard for the President and national interest, or a preference for personal ambition.

Efforts to reach Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, were unsuccessful. However, an ally of the minister said he would return to Abuja on Sunday but declined to comment further.

On the impeachment plot, the ally said, “Let’s wait for the day to come. We don’t need to rush things,” adding that Wike was not involved in the lawmakers’ actions.

Former senator Andrew Uchendu described the prolonged crisis as embarrassing for Rivers State and called for a roundtable dialogue involving all parties.

“Mr President should step in and call the parties to order,” he said.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, said only prayers could save Fubara from impeachment.

“I’m not a prophet but I’m telling you, so many prayers, fasting and prayers will be the only thing that can save Fubara in this one (impeachment).”
Drawing from his own experience, Fayose accused Fubara of ingratitude and urged him to adopt a more conciliatory approach.

(PUNCH)