How Tinubu ‘Roasted’ Fubara At Peace Meeting With Wike

How Tinubu ‘Roasted’ Fubara At Peace Meeting With Wike

President Bola Tinubu strongly criticized Siminalayi Fubara during a peace meeting between Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and his predecessor.

Two reliable sources present at the meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, informed PREMIUM TIMES of the incident.

Chairing the meeting, Mr. Tinubu expressed deep displeasure towards Mr. Fubara for the demolition of the Rivers House of Assembly Complex amid the power struggle between the governor and his predecessor. He characterized the act as a “desecration of democracy” and voiced his commitment to democratic principles.

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At the gathering, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili, and the PDP and APC chairpersons in Rivers, President Tinubu underscored his lifelong dedication to democracy. He condemned the governor’s action, highlighting the significance of preserving symbols of democracy like the House of Assembly.

Drawing on his own experience as the former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Tinubu recalled a similar situation where the state assembly challenged him. Rather than resorting to force, he chose a diplomatic approach, respecting the assembly’s concerns and finding common ground.

The political crisis in Rivers saw 25 lawmakers loyal to Governor Wike defecting from the PDP to the APC, the ruling party. Subsequently, four lawmakers supporting the governor obtained a court order enabling them to take control of the Rivers assembly.

On December 13, while Governor Fubara presented the state’s 2024 budget proposal to the four-member House of Assembly, the state government was demolishing the Assembly Complex. The government attributed the demolition to compromised building integrity following an explosion and fire incident in October during an attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. However, some individuals believe the move aimed to prevent the 25 lawmakers from convening.

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During the Abuja meeting, sources revealed that President Tinubu drew a parallel with his past political discord in Lagos, particularly with then-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. He emphasized how he refrained from taking matters into his own hands, opting to wait for the election season for a potential change in leadership.

The president’s implicit message seemed to suggest that he was advising Mr. Wike to navigate the Rivers crisis with a similar approach. According to the sources, Mr. Tinubu urged all parties involved to prioritize peace and adhere to the country’s legal framework, cautioning against actions outside its bounds.

The sources indicated that it was apparent in the meeting that Governor Wike held the potential to swiftly remove Governor Fubara from power, given his influence over the majority of Rivers lawmakers. However, they also conveyed a sense that the president believed Fubara should be afforded another opportunity, as relayed during the discussions.

As part of the reconciliation agreement between Governor Fubara and Mr. Wike, a comprehensive plan has been devised. This includes the reinstatement of officials who had resigned from the Rivers State Government (previously aligned with Wike) into Mr. Fubara’s cabinet. Additionally, the 25 lawmakers, whose seats were declared vacant due to their defection from the PDP to the APC, will be permitted to return to the assembly. Furthermore, the governor is expected to present once again the state’s 2024 budget, previously signed into law, to all lawmakers, including those whose seats had been declared vacant.

The peace meeting held on Monday marked the second mediation effort by the president in less than two months. The intense political struggle between Mr. Wike, currently serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Governor Fubara has been a prominent issue, with the latter succeeding Wike in the 2023 election.

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