Peace accord with Wike collapses as fresh crisis looms in Rivers

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has honoured the Boys Brigade Metropolitan Battalion Council Nigeria with his presence at their special 2025 Thanksgiving Service.
 
The governor, who returned to Port Harcourt on Saturday evening after a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom, is making his first public appearance. The Service, presided over by the Diocesan Bishop, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, took place at St. Cyprain’s Church (Anglican Communion) in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
 
A statement by the suspended governor’s media aide, Nelson Chukwudi, noted that the Thanksgiving Service was to celebrate the successful religious camp activities of the Boys Brigade in the state.
  
The governor was accompanied to the service by Amaopusenibo Fubara Hart and Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja.  The Guardian reports that Fubara’s return from the UK came as his estranged political godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused him of sponsoring the disruption of the empowerment programme for women in Port Harcourt organised by the office of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
 
The development may have dampened the much-talked-about peace efforts to reconcile Wike and Fubara. A fresh wave of political tension is brewing in Rivers State, casting serious doubt on the possibility of Fubara returning to office earlier than the six-month duration of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18.

 While some stakeholders hoped Tinubu would announce Fubara’s reinstatement during his Democracy Day address on May 29, recent developments suggest that such optimism may be misplaced.
 
Trouble erupted on Friday during an empowerment programme for 500 Rivers women, initiated by Mrs Tinubu. The women, nominated to benefit from the initiative, walked out on the wife of the Sole Administrator, Dr Theresa Ibas, who represented the First Lady.
 
The incident drew sharp criticism from Wike, who is on an official visit to China. Wike described the act as an insult, stating: “An insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria in an event is a direct insult on the Office of the President and Commander-in-Chief. As a leader in Rivers State, I apologise.”
 
However, many Rivers women and Niger Delta stakeholders rejected Wike’s remarks, saying the women’s actions were misrepresented and politically weaponised. Spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly and a noted human rights activist, Annkio Briggs, condemned attempts to link the incident to Fubara.