ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has intensified efforts to sustain the peace recently restored in the state after more than two years of political tension.
As part of the renewed peace initiative, Governor Fubara met again on Saturday night with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
According to Channels TV, this latest meeting, which included a larger group of political leaders loyal to the FCT Minister, was held behind closed doors at the Port Harcourt residence of elder statesman, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, and lasted until the early hours of Sunday.
The development followed a valedictory session on Wednesday between Governor Fubara and members of his cabinet.
READ ALSO: Fubara Meets Tinubu, Affirms Reconciliation With Wike
During that session, the governor directed commissioners affected by the Supreme Court judgment on the Rivers political crisis to step aside, while eight others unaffected by the ruling have since resumed official duties.
Although details of the meeting between Fubara and Wike were not made public, sources close to the discussion believe the two leaders are consolidating on the peace accord brokered by President Bola Tinubu during the six-month emergency rule in the state.
The governor’s renewed engagement with Wike also came shortly after his visit to President Tinubu, where he reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace in Rivers and sought the president’s guidance on how to prevent a relapse into political unrest.
Similarly, the FCT Minister, during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, reiterated his dedication to the peace process, stressing that he had no intention of influencing the appointment of new commissioners a clear shift from the 2023 situation, when most members of the cabinet were inherited from his administration.
Those present at Saturday’s meeting included the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule; Senators Barinada Mpigi, Magnus Abe, Wilson Ake, George Sekibo, and Olaka Nwogu; Hon. Felix Nwaeke (Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency); Hon. Kelechi Nwogu (Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency); Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dumle Maol; and House Leader, Hon. Major Jack.
Others in attendance were Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, HRM Sergeant Awuse, Chief OCJ Okocha (SAN), and four former Attorneys-General Frank Owhor, Ken Chikere, Worgu Boms, and Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN).
Also present were APC South-South Vice Chairman, Victor Giadom; PDP State Chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron; and Port Harcourt City Mayor, Alwell Ihunda.
Other prominent attendees included former Minister of Environment, Udi Odom; HYPREP Board Chairman, Emma Deeyah; former federal lawmakers Chidi Wihioka and Chinyere Igwe; former Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; Boma Iyaye (EDFA, NDDC); Marcus Nle Eji (ED Works/Projects, South-South Development Commission); Prof. Henry Ogiri (Federal Commissioner, NPC); Emeka Woke (DG, NOSDRA); Dr. Sampson Parker (Chairman, Rivers State Hospital Management Board); Fred Kpakol (Member, HYPREP Board); former PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah; and Chidi Amadi, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister.
The meeting is seen as another significant step toward sustaining the fragile peace and fostering reconciliation among key political actors in Rivers State.