Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, met face-to-face with suspended Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other dissatisfied lawmakers in Abuja for peace talks, signaling a major step toward resolving the state’s political crisis.
Reliable sources confirmed on Thursday evening that the closed-door meeting ended amicably. Fubara and Amaewhule were seen holding hands and sharing light moments, suggesting a thaw in their relationship.
This marks the first time Fubara has directly engaged the lawmakers since the political standoff began.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Fubara on March 19 after declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State due to rising tensions. The National Assembly subsequently endorsed the move and appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd), to manage the state for six months.
Although Fubara had previously met individually with President Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, his latest talks with lawmakers are being viewed as the most promising indication of a possible resolution.
Wike, a central figure in the dispute, has repeatedly emphasized that reconciliation must include Fubara making amends with lawmakers—many of whom were reportedly denied salaries and allowances for over two years.
