Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hosted Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at his residence in Port Harcourt, in what is being viewed as another step toward consolidating their political reconciliation.
The meeting, which took place on Sunday, was the first reported direct encounter between the two politicians since Fubara announced that he would not seek a second term as governor in the 2027 governorship election.
Fubara was accompanied by former Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Sam Jaja, during the visit.
Wike was joined at the meeting by Kingsley Chinda, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, and Senator Magnus Abe, who chairs the Rainbow Coalition reconciliation committee.
The meeting comes after a prolonged political dispute between Wike and Fubara that began shortly after Fubara assumed office as governor in 2023. The disagreement created deep divisions within the state’s political structure and involved disputes over the control of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other political institutions.
The conflict eventually drew the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, following which both camps began moves toward reconciliation.
In recent months, the relationship between Wike and Fubara has significantly improved. Fubara has publicly returned to the political camp associated with his predecessor and expressed support for the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor had initially been considered among those interested in contesting the 2027 governorship election but later withdrew from the race. Following his withdrawal, Kingsley Chinda emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate in the state.
Fubara has also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term and endorsed the political arrangements being developed by the Rainbow Coalition.
The reconciliation process has been coordinated in part through a committee headed by Magnus Abe, which has been engaging with political stakeholders and supporters associated with both Wike and Fubara.
Sunday’s meeting is therefore being seen as an important development in the efforts to bring the two political camps together ahead of the 2027 elections.
The renewed relationship could also have significant implications for the political landscape in Rivers State, particularly as the APC prepares to mobilise support for its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
