Emergency Rule: Fubara Meets Tinubu In UK, May Defect To APC Soon
There are indications that suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is warming up to making concessions to ease the political tension in the state.
This followed Fubara’s meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London during the latter’s 18-day retreat in Europe.
The meeting, confirmed by _The Africa Report,_ was at the request of Governor Fubara, who first came into office in May 2023.
A Senior Presidential Adviser told _The Africa Report,_ a Paris-based publication on condition of anonymity, that Fubara “pledged to make certain concessions in a bid to ease tensions.
“It is true. Governor Fubara held a private meeting with the president last week. Fubara has promised to make some compromises. Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline.”
The official hinted that negotiations are ongoing and that his six‑month suspension could be cut short.
Another aide added that Fubara is weighing a switch from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC to get on the good side of the president.
“If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” the aide told the French magazine.
Presidential aides contacted by our correspondent said they were not on the latest private trip with the President and, therefore, did not witness the closed-door meeting.
It is first face‑to‑face since Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution on 18 March, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers and ousting Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Tinubu’s national broadcast on March 18 cited “months of intense political instability” that had “paralysed governance” and “threatened national stability.”
He installed former Navy Chief, Vice‑Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ekwe Ibas, as sole administrator.
SOURCE: THE AFRICAN REPORT
