Again, Tinubu wades into Wike-Fubara feud

There are indications that President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tinubu, according to a highly credible source, summoned Wike for a meeting over the Rivers crisis.

The source, who is close to the President, told Saturday PUNCH that the meeting would be held outside the country.

Our correspondents also gathered that Fubara flew out of the country on a private jet on Thursday with the plan of meeting Tinubu in France.

This comes amid a fresh impeachment process against Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said to be loyal to Wike.

During plenary presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, on Thursday, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Fubara.

The seven points of alleged gross misconduct against Fubara include the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to obey the Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the House.

Similarly, Odu was accused of reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, and conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy offices without proper screening by the Assembly.

Amaewhule said the notice would be served on Fubara within the next seven days and adjourned plenary until January 15.

The allegations against Fubara and Odu are similar to those earlier levelled against them before the declaration of a state of emergency and their six-month suspension by Tinubu in March 2025.

Tinubu had mediated in the matter, after which Fubara and Wike agreed to a truce.

Barely three months after end of the emergency rule, the two men started trading words.

Wike accused Fubara of reneging on their agreements, while Fubara made veiled jabs to his former boss.

The impeachment process is the peak in the current face-off between the men, as Wike insists that the governor will not secure a second term even after defecting to the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking on the fresh impeachment plot, the top source disclosed that the President had intervened.

“The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing, though I am aware that he has summoned him to a meeting in Dubai. You know the President is currently out of the country. Barring any last-minute change, they are expected to meet abroad. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will caution him,” he said.

PUNCH