By Deborah Nnamdi
Signs emerged on Tuesday suggesting that President Bola Tinubu met with suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, in London during his working visit.
The meeting was reportedly initiated by Governor Fubara, although the Presidency has remained tight-lipped on the issue. Efforts to get an official confirmation proved futile, as no one was willing to comment publicly.
However, a source familiar with the development revealed that this was the first face-to-face meeting between Tinubu and Fubara since the President invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution on March 18, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. That move led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire House of Assembly.
President Tinubu had in his national address on March 18 cited “months of intense political instability” that had “paralyzed governance” and “threatened national stability” as the basis for his decision. He subsequently appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the sole administrator of the state.
Sources indicate that the meeting in London was part of efforts by President Tinubu to ease tensions and restore effective governance in the oil-rich state. While neither party disclosed details of their discussion, presidential aides speaking off the record suggested talks may be underway to reinstate Fubara before the end of his six-month suspension.
Notably absent from the meeting was Fubara’s former political ally and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who is reportedly uneasy about any arrangement proceeding without his involvement.
