Calm Returns to Rivers State as Tinubu and Fubara Engage in Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy

After weeks of political unrest in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State, a sense of calm is beginning to return as President Bola Tinubu and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara engage in strategic diplomacy that may redefine the region’s leadership dynamics.

Aides close to the presidency confirmed that a discreet meeting took place in London last week between Tinubu and Fubara. This encounter, initiated by Fubara himself, marks a pivotal moment in the bid to restore stability to the volatile state. The governor was suspended on March 18, 2025, following a series of troubling events, including pipeline explosions and legislative conflict.

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 Calm

The London meeting signals a shift toward calm after months of tensions that threatened both regional governance and national oil revenue. A senior adviser disclosed that Governor Fubara offered to make compromises, and negotiations are underway to reinstate him before the six-month deadline stipulated in the state of emergency.

As part of the ongoing realignment, Fubara is reportedly considering a political crossover to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that could significantly boost the party’s chances in the state. “If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” one aide commented.

However, this quiet thaw has not gone unnoticed by political heavyweight Nyesom Wike—Fubara’s former mentor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Wike was excluded from the London dialogue and is reportedly uneasy with the ongoing negotiations. Yet, President Tinubu is planning to mediate a comprehensive meeting involving Fubara, Wike, and state lawmakers to address the root of the crisis.

The turmoil originated from the explosion of two oil pipelines—an incident linked by security officials to a bitter power struggle between Fubara and 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike. These lawmakers had sought the governor’s impeachment, accusing him of constitutional violations, including alleged involvement in the bombing of the state’s legislative building.

In response, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency and appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as Rivers State’s sole administrator. The controversial move was designed to protect vital oil infrastructure and stabilize governance, especially as Nigeria relies on oil for over 60% of government revenue and nearly 90% of its foreign exchange earnings.

Despite facing criticism from opposition figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, legal groups, labor unions, and the press, Tinubu stood by his decision. He argued it was constitutionally valid and necessary to prevent further chaos. Parliament eventually ratified the declaration, solidifying Ibas’s administrative authority.

With negotiations progressing and Governor Fubara’s willingness to compromise, Rivers State may soon transition from political gridlock to renewed governance. If successful, the ongoing diplomacy could serve as a blueprint for resolving internal conflicts within Nigeria’s complex federal system.