Politics
Prostrating for Peace: Suspended Rivers Governor Fubara Begs Wike in Secret Abuja Visit
Prostrating for Peace: Suspended Rivers Governor Fubara Begs Wike in Secret Abuja Visit
ABUJA — In a dramatic twist to the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara recently paid a secret visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to plead for reconciliation, PREMIUM TIMES has reliably gathered.
Sources close to the development said Governor Fubara was led to Mr Wike’s Abuja residence on Friday, 18 April, by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Ogun governor Olusegun Osoba. During the closed-door meeting, Mr Fubara reportedly prostrated before his estranged political godfather, clutched his legs, and repeatedly called him “My Oga.”
“He was in Wike’s house till the wee hours of Saturday, 19 April,” one insider confirmed, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
The visit followed a high-level meeting in London between Mr Fubara and President Bola Tinubu aimed at resolving the escalating feud between the suspended Rivers governor and his predecessor, which has plunged the oil-rich state into political chaos.
The fallout between the two leaders escalated to the point that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Mr Fubara and several other elected officials for an initial six-month period.
While the outcome of the Abuja meeting remains undisclosed, insiders say Mr Fubara was directed to return to Rivers and convene a meeting with key elders and supporters to “tell them the truth” about his rift with Mr Wike.
When contacted, Mr Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the meeting but declined to comment on its content. Mr Fubara’s spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, brushed off inquiries, directing questions to the Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, who also failed to respond.
Background: A Rift Turns Political Earthquake
The power struggle between Mr Fubara and Mr Wike began just months after Mr Fubara assumed office, following a fallout over control of the state’s political structure.
The crisis fragmented the Rivers State House of Assembly into two factions — one loyal to Wike with 27 lawmakers, and another with three members aligned with Fubara. The governor declared the pro-Wike faction illegitimate following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a Supreme Court ruling on 28 February 2025 handed legitimacy to the Wike-aligned lawmakers, restoring them as the official legislative body, suspending federal allocations to the state, and nullifying local elections held under Fubara’s administration.
On 14 March, the pro-Wike assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Mr Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, accusing them of financial misconduct, illegal appointments, and obstructing legislative duties.
Critics have decried the imposition of emergency rule and the suspension of elected officials as undemocratic, sparking outrage among civil society groups and citizens nationwide.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on Rivers State — and on the outcome of Governor Fubara’s bid to regain favour with the man who once ushered him into power.
Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention.
Governor Umaru Bago has inaugurated the Digital Media Sub-Committee for the forthcoming National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scheduled to hold on March 27 and 28, 2026 in Abuja.
Chairing the sub-committee, Governor Bago tasked members with the responsibility of effectively communicating the party’s manifesto to the public.
He emphasized the need to leverage social media platforms to highlight the achievements and ongoing efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that communication gaps have posed challenges that must now be decisively addressed.
The Co-Chair of the sub-committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, echoed the Governor’s position, urging members to project the activities of both the party and the government to a broader audience.
He called for a deliberate and coordinated effort to showcase the party’s achievements and policy direction, stressing the importance of shaping a compelling and consistent narrative across all digital platforms.
Delivering a presentation to the committee, Otega Ogra, SSA to the President on New Media, who serves as Secretary of the sub-committee, outlined strategic focus areas to guide the team’s operations.
His presentation highlighted communication priorities and actionable steps to achieve the committee’s mandate and strengthen the party’s digital engagement.
VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finalized plans to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima for the formal defection and reception of Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling party, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
State APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani Maikatako, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, the state capital. He noted that the Vice President would be joined by the party’s national leadership to mark what he described as a landmark political realignment in the state.
Maikatako expressed the party’s excitement over Governor Lawal’s return, recalling that Zamfara had historically been an APC stronghold and that the Governor was previously a bona fide member of the party before his earlier exit.
“We all know that Zamfara has long been one of the APC’s stronghold states, where the defected Governor was once a bona fide member. Now that he has decided to return home, having been satisfied that the APC remains his second choice after the one he left for obvious reasons,” Maikatako stated.
The Chairman called on all party faithful across the 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas to turn out en masse to honour the Vice President’s visit. He emphasized that the event was strategically positioned to bolster the party’s popularity and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strong appeal for unity, Maikatako urged members to set aside all factional tendencies, stressing that the APC remained one political family with shared goals, particularly the ambition to make Zamfara and Nigeria great again.
Echoing similar sentiments, a former state APC Chairman, Lawal M. Liman, appealed to members to cascade the message to their wards and local government areas. He reinforced the need for cohesion, noting that the party’s collective strength would be critical to achieving success in future elections.
All eyes are now on Gusau as the ruling party prepares for a high-profile political gathering expected to further consolidate its influence in Zamfara State.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
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