The long-standing rift between suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appears to be easing, following their first public appearance together since their fallout in 2023.
The duo were seen on Saturday attending the burial ceremony of a relative of Wike at Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor local government area, with videos and photos of the event widely circulated on social media.
Fubara and Wike’s public appearance followed another round of talks with President Bola Tinubu, aimed at resolving the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State.
Wike, had, after the meeting with Tinubu, hinted that he and his political allies have agreed to work with Governor Fubara, adding that the governor has also committed to collaborating with them in the interest of peace and stability in the state.
Although unconfirmed reports suggest that certain conditions were presented to Fubara as part of his reinstatement process, details of those terms have yet to be made public.
In the meantime, Governor Fubara is expected to hold a closed-door meeting today with his supporters.
The meeting is intended to brief them on the outcome of the recent discussions with President Tinubu and Wike in Abuja.
Governor Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended on March 18 by President Tinubu, who cited threats to critical national assets as the reason for the action.
The president subsequently appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of the state for a six-month period, a move that was ratified by the National Assembly.