Wike to Handpick All LGA Chairmen as Tinubu Brokers Deal for Fubara’s Return — No Second Term Allowed
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Inside the Political Truce to End Rivers Crisis
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brokered a political truce to reinstate Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State — on the condition that he will not seek re-election in 2027, TJ News Nigeria reports.
The peace deal was sealed during a closed-door meeting on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by Fubara, his political rival Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Martin Amaewhule, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly; and a handful of lawmakers.
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Key Conditions of the Truce
Presidency sources familiar with the negotiations revealed the following terms of the agreement:
- ✅ Fubara will be reinstated as governor but will not seek a second term in 2027.
- ✅ Wike will nominate all 23 local government chairpersons in Rivers State.
- ✅ Fubara has agreed to pay all outstanding entitlements and allowances owed to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers.
- ✅ In return, the lawmakers will withdraw impeachment threats and allow governance to resume peacefully.
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Power Deal: Wike Retains Grassroots Control
One presidency insider told TJ News Nigeria that allowing Wike to handpick the LGA chairmen serves as a critical concession, effectively handing him control of the political grassroots across all 23 LGAs.
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“Wike is the real winner here. By controlling the local government chairmen, he retains significant influence over the state’s political machinery, which will be crucial for 2027,” a source close to the negotiations said.
State Assembly Standoff: A Political Trade-Off
The lawmakers loyal to Wike — who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid the conflict — had been suspended and denied recognition. However, under the new arrangement, Fubara will recognize their seats and pay their benefits.
Their status had been subject to legal and constitutional controversy, as they maintained claims to their positions despite switching parties.
In return, the lawmakers agreed to halt any further attempts to impeach Fubara, allowing him to complete his four-year tenure.
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Background: The Wike-Fubara Crisis
The rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor Wike has been one of Nigeria’s most high-stakes political dramas in recent times. The feud began as a power struggle over control of Rivers State’s political structure.
While Wike, who governed the state for eight years, aimed to maintain dominance, Fubara attempted to assert independence — triggering a deepening crisis.
- The conflict led to the suspension of the state assembly,
- Impeachment plots against Fubara,
- And widespread governance paralysis in Rivers.
Tinubu’s Previous Intervention: Declaration of Emergency
In March 2025, after multiple failed attempts to resolve the impasse, President Tinubu took the drastic step of declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. He suspended:
- Governor Siminalayi Fubara
- Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu
- All members of the Rivers State House of Assembly
Tinubu then appointed Ibok-Ette Ibas, a retired Naval Chief, as sole administrator for the state. That suspension period is set to expire in September 2025.
Reinstatement with Conditions
According to multiple sources, the reinstatement of Fubara is contingent on three key conditions:
- He must forgo re-election in 2027
- He relinquishes control over local government appointments
- He must resolve all pending dues to pro-Wike lawmakers
“The arrangement is clear: no second term, no local government control, and peace will return,” a source told TJ News Nigeria.
What Happens Next in Rivers?
Political analysts say the outcome solidifies Wike’s grip on Rivers politics while relegating Fubara to a lame-duck status. With LGA chairmanships under Wike’s influence and 2027 ambitions clipped, the governor is expected to focus strictly on governance without political leverage.
Meanwhile, Tinubu is believed to be prioritizing political stability over constitutional debates, determined to avoid a prolonged crisis in the oil-rich state that could impact national interests.
Summary of the Rivers Truce
| Stakeholder | Concession Gained | Concession Given |
|---|---|---|
| Siminalayi Fubara | Reinstatement as Governor | No 2027 re-election; LG control given up |
| Nyesom Wike | Power to nominate all LGA chairpersons | Recognizes Fubara’s continued tenure |
| Pro-Wike Lawmakers | Outstanding allowances to be paid | No impeachment proceedings |
| President Tinubu | Stability restored to Rivers | Oversaw a politically expensive deal |
TJ News Nigeria gathered that while the deal may restore peace, it effectively sidelines the governor’s political future and cements Wike’s status as the dominant political force in Rivers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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