Wike: Tinubu Supervised Rivers Peace Deal That Later Collapsed

Wike: Tinubu Supervised Rivers Peace Deal That Later Collapsed

PORT HARCOURT — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence on the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, disclosing that the controversial peace agreement between him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara was not a private arrangement but one formally endorsed by President Bola Tinubu and other top national figures.

Speaking at a political gathering in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike said the deal was reached under the direct supervision of the President and signed by senior government officials and respected political leaders, underscoring its importance to peace and political stability in the state.

According to the former Rivers State governor, the understanding reached at the meeting in Abuja was accepted by all parties but later collapsed after Governor Fubara returned to the state and began receiving conflicting advice from unnamed political actors.

“There was a time we met with Mr President and everyone signed the agreement. Even the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, signed. Peter Odili also signed,” Wike said.

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He alleged that the breakdown of trust occurred when Governor Fubara was persuaded to abandon the agreement on the grounds that it was purely political.

“After they returned home, some people began to mislead the young man, telling him it was political and that he should not follow through. That was how the crisis dragged on and ended up in court, where we won clearly,” Wike stated.

Wike added that despite the court victory, President Tinubu again intervened to prevent further disruption to governance and political harmony in Rivers State.

He revealed that several governors, ministers, and senior lawyers later appealed to him to reopen peace talks with Governor Fubara. Although initially reluctant due to past experiences, Wike said he agreed after being assured that the process would be different.

“After several meetings with Governor Fubara, we reached another agreement and presented it again before Mr President. Everyone committed to implementing it,” he said.

The FCT minister also took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the opposition party of squandering its long-standing dominance in Rivers State.

He claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) made significant electoral gains in the state during the 2023 general elections after he and his political allies supported President Tinubu.

According to Wike, the PDP performed poorly at the polls, failing to secure up to 10 per cent of the total votes cast in Rivers State during the presidential election.

Wike: Tinubu Supervised Rivers Peace Deal That Later Collapsed