Fubara’s Comeback Imminent as Tinubu Moves to End Emergency in Rivers State

July Showdown: Tinubu to Decide Rivers Governor Fubara’s Return

In a pivotal development, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has agreed to settle all unpaid allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers who were earlier suspended. These legislators, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amidst the crisis but continued to occupy their Assembly seats. This move intensified legal disputes and political tension.

Having held a closed-session meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, both Wike and Fubara announced that peace had returned to Rivers State.

Wike stated, "We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family. Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have time to settle your disagreement—and that has been finally concluded today."

Fubara responded, "What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, tonight, with the help of the President and the agreement with leaders of the state, peace has returned. We'll do everything within our power to make sure we sustain it this time around."

In line with the peace accord, Fubara has reportedly dissolved his main political support groups, which were formed during the crisis, including the 'Simplified Movement' and the 'Simplified Elders.' This move is widely seen as a clear indication of his return to Wike's political structure in the state

During the height of the crisis, Fubara's followers rallied under the "Simplified Movement," while supporters of the FCT Minister aligned themselves with "Wikematics."

Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, a PDP chieftain and former lawmaker for Omuma-Etche Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, confirmed the suspension of the support groups. He explained, "Yes, he (Fubara) gave a directive that all groups be suspended for now. You know the reason is that we were one family before, and now that peace has returned, there has to be reintegration. That is what it means. We were all part of the New Rivers Vision."