Politics
Rivers: Wike, Fubara reconciliation tears supporters apart
Rivers: Wike, Fubara reconciliation tears supporters apart
Supporters of Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, are divided over his reconciliation with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
While some applauded the development, others regarded the peace, negotiated by President Bola Tinubu, as fragile and the governor’s surrender.
On Thursday night, the president arranged a truce between Fubara and his political godfather, Wike.
The closed-door meeting took place in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Tinubu hosted Wike, Fubara, and Martin Amaewhule, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, together with a few other lawmakers.
According to presidency sources familiar with the pact, Fubara agreed to complete his current term in exchange for a vow not to run for reelection in 2027.
“It was one of the issues raised. In fact, it was the main issue. He agreed to conclude his tenure in peace and leave the stage after that,” said a source.
“Yes, they reached an agreement yesternight (Thursday). The goal is for peace to return to Rivers State. But I think Fubara got the shorter end of the stick,” another source revealed.
Chronicle NG gathered that Fubara also agreed to allow Wike to nominate all the local government chairpersons across the 23 LGAs of the state.
Speaking to the press after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Wike confirmed that the political rift between him and Fubara had been resolved, with both camps agreeing to end hostilities and work in unity.
“We are members of the same political family,” Wike said.
Wike acknowledged that the crisis had lingered for months but described the Thursday agreement as conclusive.
“Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have time to also settle your disagreement. And that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr President; that is what we have agreed to. So for me, everything is over,” he noted.
Fubara verified the truce, calling it a divine intervention and a watershed moment for Rivers State.
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Fubara also vowed his entire dedication to maintaining the unity gained at the presidential peace meeting.
The conflict between Wike and Fubara began immediately after the latter took office in May 2023.
Tensions rose in October 2023 when members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who supported Wike launched impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
In response to a suspicious fire, the governor demolished the Assembly complex and relocated parliamentary meetings to temporary quarters.
In the months that followed, the power struggle pushed the state into a governance crisis.
In December 2023, President Tinubu intervened, facilitating a fragile truce that resulted in a peace agreement in which Fubara yielded key political jobs to Wike’s supporters.
However, the arrangement failed, and the dispute revived when the president declared a state of emergency on March 18, 2025.
Tinubu’s proclamation froze the governor’s executive powers for six months, citing increased insecurity and administrative gridlock.
He then appointed a single administrator, former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.).
Meanwhile, the truce has created a schism between supporters of the suspended Rivers State governor.
Concerns focused mostly on the nature and composition of the reconciliation.
Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, described what happened in Abuja as a surrender rather than a reconciliation.
Speaking in an interview, the former commissioner stated that there was no reconciliation because the governor did not accompany his supporters.
He branded the development as cruel, claiming that Wike had succeeded in cowing the governor into submission.
Nwibubasa stated, “What I see is not reconciliation. What I see is a surrender. In a reconciliation, parties come with their supporters, and discussions are made, and concessions are made. Where Governor Fubara walked alone to the presidency without a single one of his own supporters, not his deputy, not his secretary to the state government, not his chief of staff, not his factional speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and others.
“On the other hand, Wike went with his entire House of Assembly loyalists and elders, and you say they went for reconciliation. No, I think Governor Sim was called to surrender, and he did.
“And the composition of that visit to Mr President is a story itself, and it tells you to what extent these very divisive and vicious Abuja politicians have gone to cow the governor into surrender.”
Speaking on the implication for the state, Nwibubasa said it was a return to the trenches.
“What it behoves for Rivers people is clear: that the political structures, economic structures and realm of leadership of Rivers State have returned to the old order,” he added.
Also, a group, the Rivers Emancipation Movement, in a statement on Friday, said the reconciliation was not in the interest of the people of the state.
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The group said any resolution that massaged the ego of “a few selfish individuals and undermined the collective interest of Rivers people will not stand.”
The National President of the group, Zoe Tamunotonye, mentioned that Fubara betrayed the people of the state who stood by him by not carrying them along in the process.
The statement partly read, “This development marks the second Abuja-brokered reconciliation attempt. The first failed to yield any meaningful resolution or address the real causes of the political tension that has paralysed governance and destabilised peace in Rivers State.
“REM unequivocally frowns at this so-called reconciliation in its entirety. It is nothing more than a hollow, self-serving political arrangement that prioritises the narrow interests of a few political actors while completely ignoring the collective pain, sacrifices, and aspirations of the Rivers people. This is not reconciliation—it is a calculated collusion that will fail again.”
The organisation said that the truce was based on “falsehood, self-interest, and short-term political convenience” and hence would not continue.
Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist and political pundit, called the peace agreement asprecarious.
“Wike has proved time and again that his word holds no weight. The recent reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike should not be mistaken for lasting peace,” Adeyanju stated.
Referencing Wike’s past political behaviour, Adeyanju said, “From his vow at the PDP convention to abide by the outcome, which he swiftly disregarded, to his betrayal of Dr Peter Odili, a man he once called his political father, and his calculated political attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Wike’s pattern is clear; he honours only his own ambition.”
He issued a warning that the reconciliation should be seen not as a breakthrough but as a “trap”.
“Governor Fubara must prepare his mind that this reconciliation is a trap and not a truce. Wike will not only undermine him now but will breach the agreement on purpose,” he said.
Rivers: Wike, Fubara reconciliation tears supporters apart
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Politics
Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke, Says Osun Victory Affirms Nigeria’s Democratic Progress
Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke, Says Osun Victory Affirms Nigeria’s Democratic Progress
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the August 15 governorship election, describing the outcome as a strong assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in Nigeria.
The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he personally called Adeleke earlier in the day to congratulate him on his re-election.
Tinubu said Adeleke’s victory had once again demonstrated the confidence the people of Osun State reposed in his leadership.
“I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him,” the President said.
He urged the governor, who has secured another term in office, to use his renewed mandate to unite the people of the state irrespective of their political affiliations or choices during the election.
According to Tinubu, the governor’s immediate responsibility is to bring the people together and mobilise them towards achieving greater development, stability and prosperity in the state.
“I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election,” he said.
The President also commended other candidates who contested the election, praising what he described as their courage and discipline throughout the electoral process.
He said their participation had contributed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture, adding that the outcome of the poll represented the decision of the electorate.
“I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture,” Tinubu said.
He added that the result of the election reflected the will of the people of Osun State and provided further confidence in the survival and growth of democratic governance in the country.
“The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land,” the President stated.
Tinubu further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its role in conducting the election, as well as the security agencies deployed for the exercise.
The President described the election as peaceful and transparent, noting that the process produced a clear winner.
His commendation comes after Osun voters went to the polls on Saturday to elect the governor who will lead the state for another four-year term.
Adeleke’s victory means the incumbent governor will continue in office for another term, giving his administration an opportunity to consolidate on its programmes and policies while addressing the developmental challenges confronting the state.
The President’s statement also appeared to emphasise the need for political reconciliation following the election, urging the governor to extend his leadership to all residents of Osun State, including those who voted against him.
Tinubu’s congratulatory message further underscored the importance of accepting electoral outcomes and ensuring that political competition does not undermine governance, unity and development after elections.
The statement was signed by Onanuga on August 16, 2026.
Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke, Says Osun Victory Affirms Nigeria’s Democratic Progress
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Politics
Ataoja Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Governorship Election Victory
Ataoja Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Governorship Election Victory
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Abidemi Larooye II, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the August 15, 2026, governorship election.
The monarch described Adeleke’s victory as a reflection of the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state, while commending the electorate for exercising their democratic rights peacefully.
In a statement issued by the Media Unit of the Ataoja’s Palace, Oba Larooye also urged all candidates, political parties and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election in the spirit of democracy.
The monarch advised anyone dissatisfied with the result to seek redress through lawful and constitutional channels, stressing the need to preserve peace and stability in the state.
The Ataoja expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for respecting the democratic process and acknowledging the outcome of the election.
According to him, allowing the will of the people to prevail remains essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and promoting peace and stability.
Oba Larooye further acknowledged the cordial relationship between the people of Osogbo and the Adeleke family, urging the governor to reciprocate the goodwill by sustaining his commitment to the development of Osogbo and Osun State.
He called on Adeleke to prioritise developmental projects, improved infrastructure, economic opportunities and programmes capable of improving the living standards of residents across the state.
The monarch also urged the governor, following the conclusion of the election, to extend a hand of fellowship to citizens across political divides and govern with maturity, fairness, inclusiveness and compassion.
He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant Adeleke wisdom, good health, strength and divine guidance to utilise his renewed mandate for the peace, unity, prosperity and sustainable development of Osun State.
“Congratulations, Your Excellency, Asiwaju Dr. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, on your renewed mandate. May your second term bring greater development and prosperity to the good people of Osun State,” the monarch said.
The statement was signed by the Media Unit of the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo Land.
Ataoja Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Governorship Election Victory
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Politics
Breaking: Adeleke Crushes APC’s Oyebamiji, Wins Second Term in Osun
Breaking: Adeleke Crushes APC’s Oyebamiji, Wins Second Term in Osun
OSOGBO — Governor Ademola Adeleke has secured a second term in office after defeating his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to emerge victorious, defeating Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, finished a distant third with 17,180 votes.
The result, announced in the early hours of Sunday by the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, at the collation centre in Osogbo, gave Adeleke another four years at the helm of affairs in the state.
The incumbent secured the highest number of votes in 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in the remaining 11 LGAs, in a closely watched contest that effectively became a two-horse race between the Accord candidate and his APC challenger.
Adeleke recorded victories in Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Iwo, Egbedore, Ife North, Ife East, Ife Central, Oriade, Ifelodun, Orolu, Ayedaade, Ayedire, Odo Otin, Boluwaduro, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Osogbo and one other local government area.
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Oyebamiji, on the other hand, secured victories in Irewole, Isokan, Olorunda, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun and Obokun, with the remaining two LGAs reflected in the final collation accounting for his 11-LGA tally.
Announcing the final figures, Ogunwole said 1,005,800 votes were cast in the election. Adeleke’s 511,067 votes represented the largest share, followed by Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes, while the remaining candidates shared the balance.
After the agents of the participating political parties signed the results, the Returning Officer formally declared Adeleke the winner.
“That Ademola Nurudeen-Jackson Adeleke, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner of the August 15 Governorship election and returned elected,” Ogunwole declared.
The victory marks another major political milestone for Adeleke, who took office in November 2022 after defeating the then-incumbent APC governor, Gboyega Oyetola. His re-election means he will remain governor of Osun until 2030.
The 2026 election also produced a significant political shift, with Adeleke winning the governorship under the Accord Party, the first time the party has captured the Osun governorship since its creation in 2006.
With the final declaration, attention now turns to Adeleke’s second-term agenda and whether the governor can consolidate his electoral victory by translating the mandate into broader economic development, infrastructure delivery and improved welfare for the people of Osun.
Breaking: Adeleke Crushes APC’s Oyebamiji, Wins Second Term in Osun
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