WIKE SAYS PRESIDENTIAL MEDIATION WILL RESTORE PEACE IN RIVERS STATE

Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the political crisis in Rivers State would bring a final resolution to the dispute between the state government and lawmakers.

Wike confirmed that Tinubu recently met with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other key political stakeholders as part of efforts to resolve the prolonged standoff between the governor and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Speaking to journalists during an inspection of infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike described the president’s role as timely and conciliatory, saying Tinubu acted as a mediator to restore calm in the oil-producing state.

“The president has been very kind to the people of Rivers State,” Wike said. “When there is a problem between the legislators and the governor, as a father, he has a responsibility to intervene.”

Wike noted that this was the second time Tinubu had stepped in to address the crisis and expressed confidence that the latest intervention would be decisive.

“I believe, by the grace of God, this will be the last time,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor said he had instructed members of the state assembly aligned with him to comply fully with the president’s directives, adding that he expected Governor Fubara to also uphold his part of the agreement reached during the mediation.

“I have told the Assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, and I know they will not hesitate to do so,” Wike said. “I also believe the governor will play his part to ensure lasting peace.”

Rivers State has been gripped by political tension for months following a power struggle between Fubara and lawmakers loyal to Wike, raising concerns over governance stability in one of Nigeria’s most economically strategic states.