Tinubu’s Peace Deal Thrown Into Dustbin As Rivers Lawmakers Loyal to Wike, 23 LG Chairmen Boycott Fubara’s Pre-Independence Event.
Signs of renewed political tension are emerging in Rivers State as key allies of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike shunned a major state event on Sunday, despite earlier peace efforts brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
an interdenominational thanksgiving service organized by the Rivers State Government to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary is currently underway in Port Harcourt.
However, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, lawmakers loyal to Wike, and the 23 local government chairmen linked to his camp were conspicuously absent.
Their absence is raising serious concerns that the truce initiated at the presidential level may have been merely symbolic and not reflective of actual reconciliation on the ground.
Only Fubara’s Loyalists in Attendance In attendance at the service were Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy. Also present were the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, other members of the state judiciary, security chiefs, and select stakeholders.
Political observers noted that the thanksgiving service was not a partisan or personal gathering but a unifying state event tied to a national celebration — an occasion that traditionally cuts across political divides
A Missed Opportunity for Optics and Peace’ Some concerned stakeholders expressed disappointment over the boycott, describing it as a missed opportunity to project unity in the state. According to one observer, “If there was any platform to demonstrate that peace truly exists, this was it. It wasn’t the Governor’s private programme—it was an Independence Day thanksgiving service that ordinarily should bring all arms and shades of leadership together.”
The growing perception is that despite the Abuja peace deal, the cold war between Governor Fubara’s camp and loyalists of former Governor Wike remains unresolved and could escalate further.
Background of the Crisis Rivers State has been embroiled in a bitter power struggle since late 2023, when tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, escalated into a full-blown political crisis. President Tinubu intervened with a peace accord that saw both sides make public concessions. However, political analysts have repeatedly warned that without mutual trust and genuine commitment, the agreement might crumble.
What This Signals The boycott of a major state function tied to a national commemoration is being interpreted by many as a subtle but significant show of defiance—one that could signal the beginning of another round of confrontation.
As the Independence Anniversary celebrations continue, Rivers residents are watching closely to see whether this development triggers a fresh wave of political hostilities in the state. Let me know if you’d like a headline variation, a shorter version, or accompanying social media captions.
