Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council, marking a major development in the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich state.
The dissolution was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi. According to the statement, all Commissioners and Special Advisers have been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries with immediate effect.
Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the outgoing members of the Executive Council for their service and contributions to the development of the state, wishing them success in their future endeavours.
The move comes barely 48 hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed renewed reconciliation efforts aimed at resolving the protracted political crisis in Rivers State.
Wike disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had convened a meeting with key political stakeholders from the state, including Governor Fubara and his predecessor, in a bid to ease tensions stemming from the lingering power struggle. The closed-door meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, was also attended by other prominent Rivers leaders.
The President’s intervention followed an ongoing impeachment process initiated against Fubara by lawmakers loyal to Wike. The impeachment notice, the third served on the governor, has since become the subject of litigation.
Speaking on Tuesday after inspecting projects in Abuja, Wike said the meeting held on Monday, February 9, was at the instance of President Tinubu. He noted that it was the second time the President had stepped in to mediate in the crisis.
“I remember this is the second time the President is intervening and believe by the grace of God, this is going to be the last time,” Wike said, adding that he had urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to heed the President’s directive.
He expressed confidence that both the Assembly and the governor would play their respective roles to ensure lasting peace in the state.
Reports further indicated that after the meeting at the Villa, Governor Fubara accompanied the FCT Minister to his residence in Guzape, Abuja, a development observers interpret as a possible sign of easing tensions.
Despite the latest peace moves, it remains uncertain whether the pro-Wike lawmakers will withdraw the impeachment notice or if the renewed talks will ultimately result in a lasting truce in the state.
