President Tinubu To Reinstate Gov Fubara But With Conditions

President Bola Tinubu has agreed to reinstate Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, on the condition that he does not seek reelection in 2027.

According to TheCable, the agreement was reached on Thursday evening, June 26, during a confidential meeting involving President Tinubu, members of the suspended Rivers State House of Assembly, Fubara, his predecessor, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The report references presidential sources who state that the deal, which forms part of a broader effort to restore democracy in Rivers, involves significant concessions.

Sources indicate that a key condition is that Fubara will be permitted to complete the remainder of his four-year term but will be prohibited from running for a second term in 2027, thereby limiting his influence, though he accepted the condition.

According to the report, one of the terms imposed on Fubara is that Wike will be allowed to appoint all local government chairpersons across the 23 LGAs in the state.

The presidency source also noted that this arrangement would provide substantial political leverage, effectively returning grassroots control to the FCT minister.

The publication further stated that Fubara agreed to settle all outstanding benefits and allowances owed to the 27 Wike-aligned lawmakers who were expelled from the state assembly.

In return, these lawmakers will abstain from pursuing impeachment proceedings against him.

Amid the power struggle, the suspended lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, had switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) while still claiming their legislative seats.

Their status as lawmakers has been the subject of ongoing political and legal debates.

Presidential sources indicated that the Thursday night meeting represented a pivotal moment in Tinubu’s efforts to reconcile the governor and Wike, though it required Fubara to relinquish significant authority to ensure his political survival.

“The arrangement is clear: no second term, no local government control, and peace will return,” a source said.

Another source was quoted as saying, “The president made it clear that Rivers cannot afford a prolonged crisis. The deal is about restoring calm, but it comes at a steep cost for Fubara. Wike is the real winner here. By controlling the local government chairmen, he retains significant influence over the state’s political machinery, which will be crucial for 2027.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli