The fragile peace process between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has suffered a major setback following a protest walkout by women believed to be loyal to Fubara during a public event in Port Harcourt.
The incident occurred during an empowerment programme organised by the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the EUI Event Centre on Friday. Tensions flared when the wife of the state’s Sole Administrator, Theresa Ibas—representing the First Lady—rose to address attendees, prompting chants of “We want SIM!” and “We want Valerie Fubara!” from the crowd, many of whom stormed out of the venue.
The disruption is seen as a direct affront to the Office of the President and has drawn condemnation from Wike, who described the protest as “disturbing and embarrassing.” In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, Wike accused Fubara of hypocrisy and bad faith, warning that insincere peace overtures would not yield meaningful results.
“How can you say you want peace and at the same time sponsor people to insult the President and his wife?” Wike queried, adding that those actions undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts.
The recent unrest comes despite several high-level interventions aimed at restoring order. Notably, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Chief Segun Osoba and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun had recently taken Fubara to meet Wike in Abuja, while Fubara also reportedly met President Bola Tinubu during a brief trip to London.
The political feud dates back to late 2023, when Fubara began asserting independence from his predecessor. The state legislature, largely loyal to Wike, moved to impeach Fubara, triggering a chain of events including the demolition of the Assembly complex and increased political division.
Despite a peace deal brokered by President Tinubu in December 2023, tensions have remained high. Matters escalated further after the Supreme Court in February 2025 upheld the legitimacy of the pro-Wike Assembly faction. Tinubu later declared a state of emergency on March 18 and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as Sole Administrator of the state.
Protests have persisted since the emergency declaration, with labour unions boycotting this year’s May Day rally and other civil groups opposing federal control over the state’s affairs.
Following the walkout, Wike issued a public apology to the First Lady and the President, stating, “Insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria is a direct insult on the President.”
Meanwhile, Rivers political stakeholders, including Wike ally and Ikwerre LGA political leader Samuel Nwanosike, have continued to blame Fubara for the instability, accusing him of encouraging unrest while publicly calling for peace.
With the political climate in Rivers State deteriorating once again, observers fear that the reconciliation process may be on the verge of collapse unless renewed, genuine dialogue is pursued.
