The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, expressing confidence that the president’s latest mediation will bring a permanent end to the dispute.
Wike spoke to journalists on Tuesday during a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, where he addressed reports of a high-level meeting involving President Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other political leaders from the state.
According to the former Rivers governor, President Tinubu acted in his capacity as a “father” to mediate the rift between the executive and the legislature in the oil-rich state.
“All I can tell you is that Mr President has been very kind to the people of Rivers State,” Wike said.
“If there seems to be a problem between the legislator and the governor, as a father, he really has to intervene.”
Wike noted that this is the second time President Tinubu has stepped in to resolve the political standoff, adding that he believes the matter will now be laid to rest.
“I remember this is the second time Mr President is intervening. I believe, by the grace of God, this will be the last time,” he said.
The FCT minister disclosed that he has already directed the Rivers State House of Assembly to comply with the president’s directives, expressing confidence that lawmakers would act accordingly. He also said he expects Governor Fubara to fulfil his own obligations to ensure lasting peace.
“I have told the Assembly to do the needful and obey Mr President, which I know they will not hesitate to do.
I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord,” Wike added.
Rivers State has been engulfed in months of political tension following a breakdown in relations between Governor Fubara and a faction of the State House of Assembly, a crisis that has disrupted governance and drawn national attention.
Beyond the Rivers crisis, Wike also used the opportunity to highlight progress on key infrastructure projects in the FCT. A major stop during the inspection tour was Arterial Road N5 at Life Camp, also known as Obafemi Awolowo Way, which runs from the Life Camp Junction to Ring Road 3.
Declaring the project substantially completed, Wike said the road construction had met the promised timeline.
“We were at Life Camp, N5, and it’s completely finished,” he said.
“You were there when Julius Berger said in three weeks’ time they would have finished. What they are working on now is the walkways; the streetlights are already there.”
The project is being executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and is currently undergoing final finishing touches.
Wike reiterated his commitment to regular project inspections, stressing that such oversight is necessary to ensure quality delivery and adherence to deadlines by contractors.
He noted that the N5 road, which links Life Camp to the Old Keffi Road axis near Dei-Dei, is among several strategic projects earmarked for commissioning as the Federal Capital Territory prepares to mark its 50th anniversary in 2026.
The minister said the inspections would continue as part of efforts to accelerate development and ensure Abuja’s infrastructure meets global standards.
