How Tinubu Lambasted Fubara at Peace Meeting with Wike

President Bola Tinubu strongly criticized Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara during a peace meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, according to sources present at the gathering on Monday. Tinubu, who chaired the meeting, expressed anger over the demolition of the Rivers House of Assembly Complex amid the power struggle between Governor Nyesom Wike and his predecessor, Mr. Fubara.

The meeting, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili, and the chairpersons of the PDP and APC in Rivers, witnessed Tinubu condemning the act as a “desecration of democracy.”

Tinubu, known for his long-standing support for democracy, recounted his experience as Lagos State governor, highlighting a harmonious resolution with the state assembly during his tenure. He expressed disbelief at a governor demolishing a “symbol of democracy” like the House of Assembly.

The Rivers political crisis saw 25 lawmakers loyal to Wike defecting to the APC, leading to a court order enabling them to take control of the assembly. Governor Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget coincided with the demolition of the Assembly Complex, attributed by the government to structural concerns following an earlier explosion.

President Tinubu, veiling a comment against Wike, drew parallels with his political disagreement with former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal processes during elections.

While acknowledging Wike’s potential to remove Fubara from power due to majority control, the president urged all parties to maintain peace and uphold the country’s laws. The sources revealed a consensus in the meeting that President Tinubu believed Fubara deserved another chance.

As part of the peace deal, officials who resigned from Wike’s government would be reappointed to Fubara’s cabinet, defected lawmakers welcomed back, and a re-presentation of the 2024 budget to all lawmakers. This marks the second peace meeting mediated by President Tinubu in less than two months.

The intense political battle between Wike and Fubara, unfolding since the 2023 election, continues to draw national attention amid efforts to restore stability in Rivers State.