Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council, ordering all commissioners and special advisers to vacate their positions with immediate effect.
The decision was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi. According to the statement, the affected officials are to hand over to permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries.
Governor Fubara thanked the outgoing cabinet members for their service to the state and wished them success in their future pursuits.
The development comes barely 48 hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed reconciliation efforts to end the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State. Wike disclosed that President Bola Tinubu recently met with key political stakeholders from the state, including Governor Fubara and his predecessor, in a renewed bid to de-escalate tensions.
The closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa was attended by prominent Rivers leaders and followed months of political wrangling linked to the power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor. The crisis has also led to multiple impeachment attempts against the governor by lawmakers perceived to be loyal to Wike, with the latest notice already before the courts.
Speaking after inspecting projects in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike said the reconciliation meeting was convened at President Tinubu’s instance. He expressed optimism that the intervention would bring an end to the political discord in the oil-rich state.
“I remember this is the second time the President is intervening and believe by the grace of God, this is going to be the last time,” Wike said. “I have told the assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate. I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure that this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord.”
Reports also indicated that Governor Fubara accompanied Wike to his residence in Guzape, Abuja, after the Villa meeting, a gesture observers interpreted as a possible sign of thawing relations.
However, it remains uncertain whether lawmakers aligned with Wike will withdraw the impeachment move or whether the latest reconciliation efforts will result in a lasting political truce.
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