Suspended Rivers Governor Fubara Reaches Out To Wike Amid Renewed Calls For Reinstatement
Fubara was reported to have visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory at his Abuja residence on Monday for a closed-door meeting. While details remain scarce, sources say the meeting is part of broader reconciliation talks amid mounting pressure for Fubara’s reinstatement.
Supporters of the embattled governor had anticipated an official announcement lifting his suspension during President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address. Expectations were high within his political base, The Simplified Family, many of whom tuned in eagerly to the National Assembly session—only to be disappointed.
Among those who expressed dismay was Senator Seriake Dickson, who condemned the continued imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State. He likened the current administration—led by retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas—to a military regime.
“What is happening in Rivers is undemocratic. Democracy Day was a missed opportunity for restoration,” Dickson said.
But his comments were met with a sharp rebuke from Rivers State lawmakers.
“Rivers is not under military rule,” declared House of Reps caucus leader Kingsley Chinda. “Vice Admiral Ibas is retired. That makes him a civilian. The same logic applies to Senator Dickson, a retired police corporal.”
Chinda described Dickson’s remarks as “misleading and intellectually dishonest,” accusing him of stoking ethnic tensions and meddling in Rivers affairs.
“Dickson is not from Rivers. If he wants to start a crisis, let him do it in Bayelsa,” Chinda fumed, urging security agencies to monitor the senator’s statements.
He went further to link Dickson’s previous political counsel to Fubara’s missteps, blaming him for helping steer the governor into the crisis that led to his suspension.
“He’s misleading Fubara again. We must not allow provocateurs to sabotage peace,” he warned.
The caucus also noted that President Tinubu’s emergency declaration was a constitutional response to political breakdown, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution and the Supreme Court’s February 2025 judgment.
“Even Fubara himself thanked the President for intervening,” Chinda said. “Senator Dickson cannot cry more than the bereaved.”
Senator Orwell Onyesor joined the chorus of criticism, saying Dickson’s energy would be better spent fixing Bayelsa West, his senatorial district.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu chose Democracy Day to transmit a letter to the Senate confirming key appointments made by Ibas—including new members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Primary Healthcare Board, and Civil Service Commission. The letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and referred to the Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule.
Dickson labelled the action “provocative,” accusing the President of entrenching undemocratic governance on a day meant to celebrate civil liberties. But critics quickly reminded the senator of his own controversial record as Bayelsa governor.
Bayelsa lawmaker Timi Agala-Omubo accused Dickson of hypocrisy:
“This is the same man who refused to inaugurate minority lawmakers. He only recognized PDP members in 2019 and denied opposition voices,” Agala-Omubo wrote.
Despite meeting with Wike and Tinubu, sources say Fubara has failed to engage other key political actors.
A principal officer of the suspended Rivers Assembly said:
“He hasn’t met the pro-Wike lawmakers or the ‘Three Wise Men’—OCJ Okocha, Sargent Awuse, and Ferdinand Alabraba—who were critical to his emergence. Without their support, reconciliation is far from complete.”
Dr. Chidi Lloyd, former Chairman of Emohua LGA, echoed this concern:
“There’s no excitement about his return without reconciliation. He was advised to reach out, but he hasn’t. He’s playing the ostrich. Photo ops with the President won’t fix Rivers.”
A former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) president also urged Fubara to take initiative:
“A return without resolving disputes could lead to another round of turmoil.”
As it stands, Fubara’s road back to power remains blocked by unresolved tensions. Stakeholders insist that without genuine reconciliation, especially with those he once called allies, his political resurrection may be short-lived.
