By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, met again in Port Harcourt on Saturday night as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the fragile peace recently restored in the state.
The closed-door meeting, which held at the residence of elder statesman, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, lasted into the early hours of Sunday. It came just days after a valedictory session between Governor Fubara and members of his cabinet on Wednesday.
During the week, the governor directed commissioners affected by the Supreme Court judgment on the Rivers political crisis to step aside, while eight others unaffected by the ruling have resumed official duties.
Although details of the discussions were not made public, sources familiar with the meeting said both Fubara and Wike are working to uphold the peace accord brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this year during the height of the state’s political unrest.
The renewed engagement follows Governor Fubara’s recent visit to President Tinubu, where he reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace and sought further counsel on avoiding a relapse into political instability.
Similarly, Wike, in a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, restated his dedication to the peace process, clarifying that he has no intention of influencing the selection of new commissioners – a departure from the arrangement under the previous administration.
Saturday’s meeting drew a wide array of political heavyweights across party lines. Among those present were the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule; Senators Barinada Mpigi, Magnus Abe, Wilson Ake, George Sekibo, and Olaka Nwogu.
Also in attendance were federal lawmakers, key government officials, traditional rulers, and senior political figures including Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, HRM Sergeant Awuse, Chief OCJ Okocha (SAN), four former Attorneys-General — Frank Owhor, Ken Chikere, Worgu Boms, and Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN); APC South-South Vice Chairman, Victor Giadom; and PDP State Chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron.
Others included Port Harcourt City Mayor, Alwell Ihunda; former Minister of Environment, Udi Odom; former PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah; and Chidi Amadi, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister.
