JUST IN: Amid Rivers Political Tensions, Tinubu Hosts First Ramadan Iftar with Fubara, Wike, Governors, Ministers, Service Chiefs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday evening hosted an Iftar dinner at the State House in Abuja, bringing together state governors, ministers, and heads of key security and paramilitary agencies for the first Ramadan gathering of the season.

Among the notable attendees were Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Their joint appearance came against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Rivers State, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike. The lawmakers, who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had been at the center of a power tussle that challenged Governor Fubara’s authority. In response to the court’s decision, Fubara has invited the legislators for a meeting to discuss the next steps.

The dinner, held in the spirit of Ramadan, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and several federal cabinet members, reflecting a show of unity and political diplomacy during the holy month.

Governors in attendance included Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), and Nasir Idris (Kebbi).

Also present were AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).

Key government agency heads also attended the dinner, including the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad; the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa; the Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi.

Also present were the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.