The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the protracted political crisis in Rivers State has finally come to an end, asserting that peace has returned to the oil-rich state. Wike made this significant announcement during a media chat monitored in Abuja on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Wike stated that he owed no one an explanation regarding the specific terms of the truce reached with the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He indicated that certain individuals had exploited the months-long feud for personal gain and were now dissatisfied that a resolution had been achieved.

“Some people were fed fat from the crisis. Now that peace has returned, they are no longer happy. I don’t owe anyone an explanation. What matters is that the state is moving forward,” Wike stated, insisting that his decision to reconcile with Fubara was in the best interest of Rivers State.

The declaration follows a series of high-level interventions, most notably a recent closed-door reconciliation meeting brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This meeting involved Wike, Governor Fubara, and key lawmakers, signalling a significant breakthrough in the conflict that has gripped the state since October 2023.

The crisis had escalated significantly, leading to impeachment attempts against Fubara, defections of pro-Wike lawmakers from the PDP to the APC, and ultimately, President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in March 2025, which suspended the Governor, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly.

While the precise conditions of the new peace deal have not been fully disclosed to the public, sources privy to the discussions suggest that they involve a commitment from Governor Fubara to complete his current term without seeking re-election in 2027. The agreement also reportedly includes concessions such as Wike being allowed to nominate chairmen for all 23 local government areas and Governor Fubara agreeing to pay outstanding allowances to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has welcomed the peace deal between the two former allies-turned-rivals. In a statement, the Forum commended the maturity shown by both men in embracing peace and urged President Tinubu to complete the reconciliation process by lifting the imposed emergency situation and restoring all suspended democratic structures without delay.

The Forum acknowledged that the political crisis had deeply wounded the unity and reputation of Rivers State and expressed hope that the settlement aligns with constitutional principles and the rule of law. They called on all stakeholders to treat this reconciliation as the dawn of a new chapter, defined by mutual respect, cooperation, and dedication to the state’s development.