Rivers State Politics: Tinubu Orders Wike to Halt Fubara’s Impeachment in High-Stakes Peace Deal

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The political landscape in Rivers State has taken another dramatic turn as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directly intervened to stop the renewed attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a decisive meeting held just before his January 26 trip to Türkiye, the President summoned the warring factions to the Presidential Villa to arrest a "drift towards anarchy" that threatened to destabilize the nation's oil hub. 

Following a turbulent period that saw the state endure six months of emergency rule and the suspension of its executive powers, Tinubu has now laid down "strict conditions" for a new peace pact, making it clear that the Federal Government will not tolerate a return to the legislative paralysis of the past year.

​As part of this latest push for stability, the President issued specific directives to both Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ensure a temporary truce. Key components of this January 2026 intervention include an immediate halt to all impeachment-related actions by Wike’s camp in the House of Assembly. In return, Governor Fubara was instructed to formally recognize Nyesom Wike as the "undisputed political leader" of the party in Rivers State, reinforcing the message that political seniority must be respected. Furthermore, the President directed that candidates loyal to Wike be recognized for the upcoming House of Assembly by-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II, scheduled for February 21, 2026.

​Recall that this is not the first time the Presidency has had to step in. In March 2025, the crisis reached such a breaking point that President Tinubu was forced to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This unprecedented move led to the six-month suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly, with retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas stepping in as military administrator to restore order. Although the emergency rule was lifted in September 2025, the underlying rivalry between the "godfather" and "godson" remained combustible. However, for the people of Rivers State, this latest intervention is seen as a final warning: either the leaders find a way to work together, or the state risks falling back into the hands of a federal administrator.