Rivers Elders’ Mediation Raises Hopes of Truce in Fubara–Wike Crisis

Political tensions in Rivers State may be easing following renewed mediation efforts aimed at resolving the impeachment crisis involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

Moves by some key actors behind the impeachment bid to de-escalate hostilities have raised hopes of a possible truce. The attempt to remove the governor over allegations of gross misconduct had sharply divided the Rivers State House of Assembly and triggered concerns over political stability in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Leading the reconciliation effort is the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), which has set up a seven-member committee chaired by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN. The panel has held separate meetings with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja, and with Governor Fubara in Port Harcourt, where discussions reportedly lasted over three hours.

The committee also consulted the Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, a known ally of Wike, and later met with elders and political leaders aligned with both camps in Port Harcourt.

Sources familiar with the engagements told Okay News that the discussions were constructive and marked a shift from the hostile public exchanges that had characterised earlier stages of the dispute.

“So far, the meetings have been very fruitful,” a source said. “Before now, a lot of statements were made in public. But the outcome of these engagements is encouraging. There is renewed hope. Rivers people respect this committee, and Nigerians should allow these respected elders of the Niger Delta to do their work.”

The Agabi-led committee, inaugurated in Abuja last week, has a two-week mandate to propose solutions aimed at restoring political stability in Rivers State. Observers say the willingness of both Wike and Fubara to participate in the talks signals a potential opening for compromise.

Fresh details have also emerged suggesting that the impeachment push may be driven more by political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections than by alleged misconduct. A source close to the process claimed that lawmakers backing the move are seeking assurances over their political future.

“There is nothing like gross misconduct against the governor,” the source said. “What they want is a guarantee that they will return to the Assembly in 2027.”

The source linked the situation to Governor Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December, arguing that lawmakers are seeking assurances of party tickets ahead of the next elections.

The same source added that Wike is also reportedly seeking guarantees from President Bola Tinubu over his continued relevance at the federal level, warning that losing his ministerial position while Fubara secures a second term could weaken his political influence.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the APC has urged the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to comply with a court order restraining him from acting on the Assembly’s request to set up a seven-member investigative panel. The party described the impeachment attempt as an unnecessary legislative overreach that could harm its interests in the state.

Ethnic mobilisation has also intensified, with Ijaw groups publicly backing Fubara. President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Alaye Theophilus, said more than 50,000 Ijaw voters had transferred their registration to Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that “Fubara must go for a second term.”

Similarly, President of the Ijaw National Council, Professor Benjamin Okaba, warned that any impeachment of the governor would be regarded as “a betrayal of the Ijaw nation.”