Disquiet in Wike’s camp over Tinubu, Fubara reported secret meeting

There has been disquiet among supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesome Wike since Tuesday when the news broke out that President Bola Tinubu held a secret meeting with the suspended Governor of Rivers state.

Fubara was said to have met with the President in London during the latter’s 18-day retreat in Europe.

The Africa Report confirmed the meeting, saying it was at the request of Governor Fubara, who first came into office in May 2023.

It was gathered that a senior presidential adviser told the Paris-based publication that, Fubara “pledged to make certain concessions in a bid to ease tensions.”

“It is true. Governor Fubara held a private meeting with the president last week.

“Fubara has promised to make some compromises. Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” said an adviser to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official hinted that negotiations are ongoing and that his six‑month suspension could be cut short.

Another aide added that Fubara is weighing a switch from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling APC to get on the good side of the president.

“If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” the aide told the French magazine.

It is first face‑to‑face since Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution on 18 March, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers and ousting Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Tinubu’s national broadcast on March 18 cited “months of intense political instability” that had “paralysed governance” and “threatened national stability.”

He installed former Navy Chief, Vice‑Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ekwe Ibas, as sole administrator.

Opposition governors from seven PDP‑ruled states immediately filed suit at the Supreme Court, challenging the decree’s constitutionality and demanding a return to democratic rule.

The political crisis, which has paralysed governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Fubara and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Hours before Tinubu declared emergency rule, an explosion rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community in Gonna Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A second explosion ruptured a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the State.

Citing fresh security reports at the time, Tinubu expressed concern over recent vandalisation of oil pipelines by militants, allegedly acting in support of Fubara.

The President, who had been in Paris, then London since April 2, agreed to meet Fubara in an attempt to defuse the lingering crisis.

The duo discussed restoring functional government in the oil‑rich state, officials say.

Neither side disclosed details, but sources said the talks may see Fubara back in power before his six-month suspension elapses in September.

It was learned that Fubara’s estranged political godfather now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was not part of the meeting and was nervous about such an arrangement holding without him.

However, Tinubu is expected to meet Fubara, Wike, and the Rivers State lawmakers to chart a lasting solution to the political crisis in the state.