President Bola Tinubu has reached a new agreement to reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, but only if he agrees not to seek re-election in 2027.
According to The Cable, the decision was made during a private meeting held Thursday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Those present included Tinubu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, suspended House Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Governor Fubara, and some lawmakers involved in the political crisis in Rivers.
According to information from the presidency, the deal allows Fubara to return and complete his current four-year term, but he must not run for another term after that.
This is said to be part of a wider plan to restore political order in the state, which has been shaken by months of tension between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
As part of the arrangement, Wike will be allowed to pick all the local government chairmen across the state’s 23 LGAs.
This move gives him a strong grip on grassroots leadership and political structure heading into 2027.
Fubara has also agreed to pay the entitlements and outstanding allowances of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike who were suspended.
In return, they will not attempt to impeach him.
“The arrangement is clear: no second term, no local government control, and peace will return,” the source said.
“The president made it clear that Rivers cannot afford a prolonged crisis. The deal is about restoring calm, but it comes at a steep cost for Fubara,” another source said.
“Wike is the real winner here. By controlling the local government chairmen, he retains significant influence over the state’s political machinery, which will be crucial for 2027.”
Fubara To Reportedly Resign After Reinstatement
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports have revealed that Fubara may resign once his suspension is lifted.
According to sources, the governor, who has been suspended since March 18, 2025, is reportedly planning to step aside voluntarily but wants to wait until he is reinstated before making the move.
Insiders revealed that Fubara has told a few people privately that he no longer wishes to remain in office and prefers to stay away from the political drama surrounding his tenure.
He is said to believe that resigning while under suspension might appear as if he is admitting guilt or justifying the decision made by President Bola Tinubu.
Fubara was suspended for six months after the president declared an emergency in Rivers State.
The announcement led to the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of the state, a move that drew criticism and legal action from PDP governors.
The governors took the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that a president has no power to suspend an elected governor.
The court is yet to deliver judgment.
Meanwhile, Ibas has been fully in control of the state’s affairs.
He has suspended Fubara’s appointees, managed state matters without input from the suspended governor, and presented a budget of over one trillion naira to the National Assembly through the president.
Though there have been calls for Fubara’s reinstatement, the federal executive and legislature have continued to support Ibas as the de facto leader of the state.
Political observers believe that even if Fubara is brought back, it may be difficult for him to regain full control of the government, as his influence appears to have been weakened.
It’s all nonsense, why will an elected officer will be asking another elected official not to re contest. Even, as it may be the state of emergency declared by him is against the law of the land or what are they trying to insinuate self.