Fubara, Amaewhule Hold First Peace Talks in Abuja

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has met with suspended Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, along with several other aggrieved lawmakers.

Reliable sources confirmed on Thursday evening that the meeting ended on a positive note, with Fubara holding Amaewhule’s hand while the two exchanged smiles and laughter.

Held in Abuja, the gathering marks the first significant step toward reconciliation between the governor and the lawmakers.

A source speaking confidentially to The Nation described the meeting as productive, noting that a broader peace dialogue is being planned to address the finer details of reconciliation.

“The suspended governor is committed to peace. He has initiated genuine engagement,” the source stated.

Fubara was suspended from office on March 19 following the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu, which was subsequently ratified by the National Assembly due to escalating political tensions in the state.

To stabilize the situation, Tinubu appointed Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas as interim administrator for Rivers State for a six-month period to facilitate reconciliation among political rivals.

Although Fubara previously held separate meetings with President Tinubu and his estranged political mentor, Nyesom Wike, Thursday’s session with the lawmakers is seen as the most promising effort so far toward restoring peace.

Wike had insisted that meaningful reconciliation would only occur if Fubara engaged directly with all stakeholders he had fallen out with—especially lawmakers whose salaries and allowances were allegedly withheld for over two years.