Rivers brokered deal: It’s restoration of Wike’s political control – Rivers former Commissioner

Dr. Nwibubasa

A former commissioner in Rivers State, has described the deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to end the political crisis in Rivers State, as a scam.

Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Employment and Empowerment, said the deal is a one-sided arrangement designed to restore Wike’s men to power, noting the deal is meant for political control rather than promote genuine reconciliation.

Speaking in a statement, Nwibubasa said, “I want to state with all sense of responsibility that I didn’t see a reconciliation. I saw a surrender.”

He claimed the meeting in Abuja that led to the agreement was completely in favour of Wike.

According to him, Governor Fubara was isolated and did not represent the will of Rivers people during the talks. “All the stakeholders present were on the side of the FCT Minister. That’s not peace—that’s imbalance and intimidation,” he added.

Nwibubasa’s comments reflect growing dissatisfaction among some political actors and citizens in Rivers State, who feel that the deal failed to address the root of the conflict and instead tilted power further toward Wike, the governor’s estranged political godfather.

The political tension between Governor Fubara and Wike, his predecessor, has caused deep divisions in the state, despite federal efforts to broker peace.