Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara recently visited him in Abuja alongside two other governors in what appeared to be a peace overture.

Wike, who is the immediate past governor of Rivers State, disclosed this on Monday during a media parley with select journalists. The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between the two politicians, which plunged Rivers State into a prolonged political crisis.

“The President has called for peace on multiple occasions. I cannot ignore that and say I don’t want peace,” Wike stated. “Yes, Fubara came to see me with two governors and an elder. Unfortunately, the two governors are from the APC. I won’t pursue him. He says he wants peace, and that’s fine. I also want peace.”

The rift between Wike and Fubara led to a political impasse earlier this year. President Bola Tinubu later intervened, suspending Fubara, the Rivers State House of Assembly, and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu. A six-month caretaker administration was subsequently appointed to oversee the state’s affairs.

While Wike acknowledged Fubara’s peace overtures, he argued that the embattled governor must demonstrate his sincerity through concrete actions.

“I told him, ‘You don’t seem to have the capacity to truly pursue peace,'” Wike said. “If your people are protesting daily and going on television to insult others, how can you claim to be making peace?”

Wike advised that Fubara should engage key stakeholders, including members of the House of Assembly, to restore harmony.

“It’s not enough to say ‘I want peace’. You must back that with actions. Have you met with the Assembly? Have you spoken to the leaders who matter?” he asked.

Wike also claimed that Fubara was misled by fellow governors, who have since abandoned him.

“Some governors encouraged him to take certain steps, but where are they now?” Wike asked. “I warned him. I told him, ‘Follow this path and you won’t run into trouble.’ He didn’t listen.”