Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reportedly held his first reconciliation meeting with suspended Speaker Martins Amaewhule and other aggrieved state lawmakers in Abuja, marking a significant step towards resolving the state’s political crisis.
The Nation reported on Thursday evening that the meeting ended on a positive note, with Fubara and Amaewhule sharing jokes and laughter whilst holding hands.
The meeting is the first direct reconciliatory move between the governor and state lawmakers since the crisis that led to both men’s suspension from office.
The Nation’s report also cited a confidential source saying that Fubara’s engagement with the lawmakers was fruitful, though an enlarged peace meeting is expected to discuss detailed peace terms.
“The suspended Governor is determined to make peace. He has started the real engagement,” the source said.
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Fubara was suspended from office on March 19 following a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu and ratified by the National Assembly to halt the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
Subsequently, the President appointed former Naval Chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, as administrator for the first six months to allow the warring politicians to reconcile their differences.
Although Fubara had previously met with his estranged political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, and President Tinubu regarding the Rivers situation, Thursday’s meeting with the lawmakers was described as the most important step towards genuine reconciliation.
Wike had repeatedly stated that genuine reconciliation required Fubara to meet with various stakeholders he had offended, particularly members of the House of Assembly, whose salaries and allowances he withheld for over two years.
The Thursday meeting reportedly drew applause from various stakeholders in the state, including members of Fubara’s family, with many describing it as a step in the right direction.
