Tinubu Directs Wike to Stop Fubara’s Impeachment, Affirms Wike as Political Leader

President Bola Tinubu has stepped in again to address the intensifying conflict between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike.

This peace initiative follows several unsuccessful attempts at resolution that had nearly pushed the state towards a gubernatorial impeachment, legislative gridlock, and prolonged disorder.

Previously, Tinubu had intervened in December 2023 to mediate a fragile truce that ultimately collapsed, resulting in the declaration of a six-month state of emergency on March 18, 2025, and the suspension of Fubara.

In his latest effort to resolve one of Nigeria’s most contentious political disputes, Tinubu mandated an immediate halt to any impeachment actions against Fubara, albeit under stringent conditions.

Sources close to the developments revealed that Tinubu, acting just before his departure for an official trip to Türkiye on January 26, laid out the political stipulations intended to restore harmony between these pivotal political figures in Rivers State, crucial for the president's 2027 re- election campaign.

The president communicated a clear message to Fubara, stating that Wike is recognized as the undisputed political leader of both the APC and the PDP in Rivers State, and that Fubara must respect this.

Reports indicate that Tinubu, visibly perturbed by the entrenched division despite previous initiatives, cautioned that ongoing strife could compromise governance in the state and foster instability, which he is unwilling to tolerate.

Tinubu instructed Wike to refrain from any further impeachment plots against Fubara and to allow effective governance in the state.

The relationship between Wike and Fubara has been complex since the latter's inauguration in May 2023. Wike, who was instrumental in Fubara’s ascension, has been perceived as trying to exert control from Abuja, while Fubara is resisting what is perceived to be Wike’s domineering influence.

Tensions began to surface shortly after Fubara took office, as he quietly attempted to assert his autonomy, resulting in a split among political stakeholders in the state. Notably, many state lawmakers have sided with Wike.

Movements to impeach Fubara arose from pro-Wike factions within the House of Assembly. Despite attempts to navigate these challenges, the specter of impeachment looms each time friction occurs with the minister.

Repeated efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis have consistently failed to achieve lasting peace. The breakdown of one peace meeting eventually led to the state of emergency, which was imposed for six months.

While Wike’s faction accuses Fubara of betrayal and lack of political appreciation, the governor’s supporters argue that Rivers State governance cannot be managed from outside by a former governor currently serving as the FCT minister.

In this latest attempt to address the lengthy conflict, one insider highlighted Tinubu's comparisons with Lagos State, where Sanwo-Olu leads the party.

It was reported that Tinubu remarked, “Is Babajide Sanwo-Olu my leader in Lagos, or was Babatunde Fashola my leader when he was governor?”

The president also emphasized that Fubara should accord respect to Wike, an elder statesman in Rivers politics. Tinubu clarified that issues of political seniority cannot be overlooked due to personal disagreements.

As part of the peace accord, the president ordered Wike and his allies to immediately cease any impeachment-related activities against Fubara, stressing his paramount concern for stability in Rivers State.

In return, Fubara was instructed to acknowledge Wike formally as the “political leader” in Rivers State, granting him final authority over party affairs.

Tinubu insisted that all internal political disputes must ultimately defer to Wike.

However, the situation is complicated by Wike's affiliation; he is not a member of the APC in Rivers State but officially remains part of the opposition PDP, albeit serving as a significant minister under the APC government, a role he has leveraged to weaken the PDP.

Additionally, the agreement encompassed the forthcoming state House of Assembly bye-elections in Rivers State. Tinubu directed that candidates aligned with Wike should be recognized by the APC leadership for the two open assembly seats. Sources indicated it was explicitly stated that Wike would propose two candidates for the elections, who are to be acknowledged by the APC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set February 21, 2026, for the contentious bye-elections pertaining to the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies.

It was noted that the Ahoada-East II seat became vacant after the former occupant, Edison Ehie, resigned to serve as Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara, while the Khana II position has been empty since the death of its lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, in September 2023.

Discussions also touched on Fubara’s aspirations for a second term, but these were reportedly deferred, with Tinubu suggesting that such discussions were premature at this stage. One source relayed that Tinubu characterized any dialogue regarding the 2027 governorship as still too early.