Port Harcourt, 28 June 2025 – Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike made a public appearance together on Saturday at the funeral of Wike’s cousin, Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, in Rumuepirikom, Rivers State. The event follows a reported reconciliation brokered by President Bola Tinubu, raising questions about the nature of their newfound accord.

Governor Fubara, in a post on X, confirmed his attendance at the funeral alongside Wike and other dignitaries, describing the late Elder Onuoha as a beloved figure. However, the governor’s presence has sparked heated debate, with some accusing him of compromising with Wike after months of political strife. Critics on social media have speculated about a “money-sharing agreement” between the two, questioning whether the deal sidelines the interests of Rivers State’s residents.

The political feud between Fubara and Wike, his predecessor, has been a source of tension since Fubara took office in May 2023. The conflict escalated last October when lawmakers loyal to Wike attempted to impeach Fubara, prompting the governor to demolish the Rivers State House of Assembly complex after a suspicious fire. Legislative sittings were subsequently moved to temporary quarters.

Details of the reported agreement remain scarce. Posts on X, including one by user @emmaikumeh, claim the deal includes a single term for Fubara, no extension of the state of emergency, and the removal of key appointees like the Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government. The posts further allege that Fubara would face impeachment if he breaches the terms. However, these claims remain unverified, and neither Fubara nor Wike has publicly confirmed such conditions.

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Fubara acknowledged that the reconciliation might disappoint some supporters but insisted it was necessary for peace and progress in Rivers State. He credited President Tinubu for facilitating the talks, describing the president’s intervention as a direct instruction to prioritise the state’s future.

Wike, addressing journalists after the peace talks in Abuja, called the agreement “conclusive” and described himself and Fubara as members of the same political family. He noted that the crisis had persisted for months but expressed optimism about moving forward.

The public’s reaction has been mixed. Some residents of Rivers State welcome the truce, hoping it will restore stability, while others remain sceptical, questioning whether the agreement serves the people or merely consolidates power among political elites.

As speculation swirls, many in Rivers State are left wondering about the true cost of this reconciliation and whether the interests of ordinary citizens have been overlooked in the process.