President Bola Tinubu issued a directive to halt the feud between Rivers state governor Siminalayi Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike. Tinubu ordered Wike to stop all impeachment actions against Fubara and emphasised respect for political seniority. The president’s intervention included recognition of Wike as political leader and directives on upcoming by-elections

Aso Rock, Abuja – President Bola Tinubu has issued a fresh directive aimed at halting the simmering conflict between Rivers state governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The intervention comes after months of political tension that threatened the state with impeachment moves, legislative paralysis, and governance instability.

As reported by Arise Television, multiple sources familiar with the matter said that Tinubu, acting before departing for an official trip to Türkiye on January 26, warned Wike to immediately desist from pursuing impeachment plots against Fubara. The president reportedly stressed that continued hostilities would undermine governance and stability in the oil-rich state.

A source quoted Tinubu as saying,

“Fubara must be allowed to govern, but elders and political leaders like Wike deserve respect. Political seniority cannot be ignored because of personal disagreements.” 

Tinubu’s latest intervention reportedly included strict conditions: Fubara was to formally recognise Wike as the “political leader” in Rivers state, with final authority on party matters, while Wike and his camp were instructed to halt all impeachment-related actions against the governor.

“This is about ensuring stability and governance in Rivers state. The president made it clear that all internal party disputes must defer to Wike’s recognised authority,” one source said

The directive also covered upcoming state House of Assembly by-elections for Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies, with Wike’s candidates to be formally endorsed by the APC. INEC has scheduled the elections for February 21, 2026.

The feud between Fubara and Wike has persisted since May 2023, shortly after Fubara assumed office. Wike, who personally backed Fubara as his successor, has reportedly sought to control the state from Abuja, while Fubara has attempted to assert his independence. Almost all Rivers State lawmakers have reportedly aligned with Wike, intensifying the political struggle.

Previous peace efforts brokered by Tinubu, including a six-month emergency rule declared in March 2025, failed to resolve the rift. This latest directive represents a renewed attempt to stabilise governance and prevent further disruption in the state.

While the president’s intervention aims to enforce truce, insiders reveal that discussions about Fubara’s potential 2027 re-election bid were deliberately postponed, with Tinubu reportedly stating that such matters remain premature, Vanguard reported.

“The focus for now is peace and governance. Any talk about the 2027 governorship is off the table until stability is restored.”

With Tinubu’s firm stance and clear instructions, stakeholders in Rivers State are now expected to observe the truce and allow the governor to govern, while respecting Wike’s political seniority. Wike vs Fubara: APC chairman releases new info

Previously, Dailyvoice.ng reported that the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the ruling party has started negotiating with the lawmakers in the Rivers state House of Assembly on their bid to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Professor Nentawe Yilwatda maintained that this was the reason why no one had heard about the brouhaha between the lawmakers and the governor, who has been at loggerheads with his political godfather, Nyesom Wike.

Peter Obi, a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has signaled his plan to seek the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He revealed this ambition while addressing supporters at a campaign event for the ADC candidates in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections, which took place at the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC.

In his remarks, Obi made it clear that he is aiming for the top position and would not settle for a subordinate role in the party’s long-term political strategy.

He stressed that the AMAC election is closely tied to his wider political aspirations and called on party faithful and local residents to throw their weight behind the ADC candidate.

According to Obi, success in the AMAC poll would play a crucial role in advancing his political mission, adding that his involvement in the coming elections is as a leading contender and not in a supporting capacity.

“This coming election, support us in AMAC; it will help me. Your support in AMAC is critical to our journey. I am involved and contesting the coming election as number one. When I come back, you will see. I assure you,” Obi said.

Obi’s supporters, particularly members of the Obidient Movement, have intensified pressure on the ADC leadership to adopt him as the party’s standard-bearer for 2027, with many insisting that the ticket should go to Obi alone.

However, the ADC is hosting several other high-profile politicians with presidential ambitions, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

APC national chairman has played down the growing speculations surrounding the 2027 vice-presidential ticket of the party. Nentawe Yilwatda dismissed rumours about replacing Senator Kashim Shettima as vice-presidential candidate. Concerns rose over the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy linked to the 2023 presidential election and the 2027 strategy.

CT, Abuja – Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not discussing the 2027 vice-presidential ticket, calling all speculation in the media premature.

Yilwada spoke on Sunday, January 1, on Trust TV, monitored by Dailyvoice.ng.

According to the APC leader, many stories in the press are purely speculative, untrue, and baseless.

He said:

“Candidates belong to the political party and not to individuals. Even the president, when he becomes a candidate, he is the candidate of the party. So, the only person that can make a statement on whether there will be a vice president or not is the party. So, every other person that has made a statement is just rumour mills.” 

The X interview can be watched below:

APC Chairman, Prof. Nentawa, Speaks on Kassim Shettima’s Place as Vice President in the 2027 Election

Watch more : https://t.co/v9vvgvr6Em pic.twitter.com/aMwYY7MjTd

— Trust TV News (@trusttv_news) February 2, 2026

This clarification comes amid heightened public interest and speculation over the APC’s strategy for the 2027 elections. Dailyvoice.ng reports that in recent weeks, several media outlets and social media platforms have circulated reports suggesting potential changes to the party’s ticket, including the replacement of Shettima.

Among those mentioned in the media are the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, from Kaduna State, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, from Bauchi State, both Christians.

There were also speculations at some point that the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, from Kano in the North-west, could replace Shettima.

The APC denial came a day after Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture and creative economy, warned of the consequences of replacing Shettima, noting that the party might lose the 2027 elections. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of Shettima as running mate in the 2023 presidential election generated controversy, with many condemning the Muslim-Muslim ticket and demanding the choice of a northern Christian. The duo are Muslims.

Legit.ng earlier reported that a chieftain of the APC in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra state, Ichie Ferdinand Iloduba, advised the party against the alleged planned decision to replace Vice President Shettima with a Northern Christian ahead of the 2027 general elections.