Indications emerged at the weekend that the escalating political crisis in Rivers State may soon ease as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, separately met with a seven-man peace and reconciliation committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF).
Credible sources said the committee, led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), first held talks with Wike in Abuja last Thursday before engaging Fubara in a three-hour meeting in Port Harcourt on Friday, followed by consultations with elders and leaders from both camps.
Describing the engagements as encouraging, a source said, “So far, those meetings were very fruitful… the outcome of those meetings is very encouraging. I can say that there is hope. A real renewed hope,” adding that Rivers people respect the committee and should allow it to complete its assignment, with the panel expected to submit its report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, Sunday Vanguard gathered that Rivers State lawmakers, including those who had earlier called for a political solution, are now seeking firm assurances from Governor Fubara over their return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections as a condition to halt the impeachment process.
A key political player said, “There is nothing like a gross misconduct against the governor. What these people (lawmakers) want is the assurance that they will return to the Assembly next year,” alleging that the crisis worsened after Fubara defected to the APC last December.
In a related development, the Rivers State chapter of the APC urged the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to obey a court order restraining him from acting on impeachment correspondence, warning that the move amounted to “a needless legislative overreach,” while Ijaw leaders said more than 50,000 voters had allegedly transferred their registration to Rivers State in solidarity with Fubara, with Ijaw Youth Council president, Dr Alaye Theophilus, declaring, “We are solidly with Fubara… Fubara must go for second term.”