Fubara vs Wike: President Tinubu wades into feud again

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly intervened once again in the escalating feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, amid renewed tensions and impeachment threats.

Sources familiar with the development said the President summoned Wike for a meeting to discuss the Rivers State crisis.  According to  Punch, the meeting is expected to hold outside Nigeria, as the President is currently out of the country. It was also gathered that Governor Fubara travelled abroad earlier in the week, with plans to meet the President as part of efforts to resolve the dispute.

Tinubu had previously mediated in the Rivers political crisis, leading to a temporary truce between Fubara and Wike. However, barely three months after the end of emergency measures in the state, tensions resurfaced, with fresh impeachment moves reportedly initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The report says a highly placed source said the President had stepped in again, expressing concern over the political instability in the state. According to the source, Tinubu is expected to caution all parties involved and prevent actions that could further destabilise Rivers State.

“The President understands the danger in allowing the crisis to escalate. He has summoned Wike for talks, and they are expected to meet abroad. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a senior official at the national secretariat of the ruling party disclosed that discussions were ongoing on how party leaders would also engage the President upon his return to the country.

In a related development, an ally of the FCT minister dismissed claims that Wike was behind the impeachment moves against Governor Fubara. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the ally said the Rivers State lawmakers were acting independently and not at the behest of the former governor.

The source also rejected suggestions that Wike was disrespecting the President by backing actions against Fubara, describing such claims as misleading.

“People accusing the minister of disrespecting the President are being mischievous. Wike remains a strong supporter of the President. This issue is not about the President,” the source said.

The renewed intervention by President Tinubu is seen as a bid to prevent further political instability in Rivers State and avert a breakdown of governance.