By Kolawole Ojebisi
From all indications, President Bola Tinubu may not extend the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State after the expiration of the declared six-month as being speculated in some quarters.
This is as Tinubu, for one last time, waded into the political crisis in the oil-rich state, urging the warring factions to sheathe their swords and let bygones be bygones.
The New Diplomat gathered that Tinubu eventually reunited the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the aggrieved members of the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule
According to Dailytrust, there was an amicable resolution of the crisis at a closed door meeting with Tinubu which began late Thursday night and lasted into the early hours of Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
One of the proofs that the meeting ended on a positive note is the development after its conclusion when Fubara was seen holding Amaewhule’s hands as they exchanged jokes and laughter in a move a source said was “beyond mere optics”.
Recall that Wike and Fubara were embroiled in a supremacy battle which led to the polarisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, including among prominent politicians in the state.
The rift between the duo spilled over to the State House of Assembly.
The crisis spiralled out of control, leading to a series of litigations with the Supreme Court resolving the case in favour of the pro-Wike lawmakers.
But, the Supreme Court resolution sparked another round of crisis with the lawmakers and Wike threatening to impeach the Governor.
However, with the development heating up the polity, President Tinubu, in March declared a state of emergency in Rivers suspending the Governor, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly.
The President also nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take over the helm of the oil-rich state.
Dailytrust quoted Aso Rock sources, saying the meeting with Tinubu followed an earlier one between the suspended Governor, the FCT Minister and the lawmakers.
According to Dailytrust’s source the meeting with Tinubu is to intimate him that the crisis has been resolved.
“From the body language after the meeting with the President I can tell you that they (Wike, Fubara and the Lawmakers) have resolved their differences.
“You know before now, there have been this charge from the President that they should resolve their differences. I believe they have been able to resolve that. I think the visit might just be to thank the President for his efforts in resolving the crisis.” the source said.
