EXCLUSIVE: Fubara Meets Tinubu in France Amid Impeachment Plot
Although details of the meeting were not officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report, multiple political sources confirmed that Governor Fubara and President Tinubu met privately while both leaders were in France.
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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reportedly held a crucial meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in France, a development that has intensified political conversations both within Rivers State and at the national level. The meeting comes at a time of heightened tension in the oil-rich state following the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor over allegations of gross misconduct.
Although details of the meeting were not officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report, multiple political sources confirmed that Governor Fubara and President Tinubu met privately while both leaders were in France. The timing of the engagement has fueled widespread speculation that the Rivers political crisis formed a major part of their discussions.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, on Thursday announced the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. Lawmakers cited alleged constitutional breaches and acts of gross misconduct, though the governor’s camp has continued to dismiss the allegations as politically motivated and lacking substantive evidence.
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The impeachment move marks the latest escalation in the prolonged political feud in Rivers State, which has pitted Governor Fubara against forces widely believed to be loyal to his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Since assuming office in May 2023, Fubara’s relationship with key power blocs in the state has been strained, resulting in legislative standoffs, court battles, and repeated interventions by national party leaders.
Governor Fubara has consistently maintained that his administration remains focused on governance, peace, and development, despite what he has described as deliberate attempts to destabilize his government. In recent weeks, he has called for calm among Rivers residents, urging political actors to place the interest of the state above personal ambitions.
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The meeting with President Tinubu is being viewed by analysts as a potentially decisive moment in the unfolding crisis. As leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the federal level and president of the country, Tinubu is seen as having significant influence over political stability nationwide, even in states governed by opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which Fubara was elected.
Political observers believe Fubara may have used the opportunity to brief the president on the situation in Rivers State, present his side of the story, and seek federal intervention to prevent what many fear could spiral into a constitutional crisis. Others suggest the president may be positioning himself as a neutral arbiter, intent on ensuring that democratic processes are followed and that political disputes do not degenerate into violence or instability.
Sources close to the presidency say Tinubu has been monitoring developments in Rivers with concern, given the state’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy and national security. Rivers State is a major hub for oil and gas production, and prolonged political unrest could have wider implications beyond the state.
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Meanwhile, reactions to the reported France meeting have continued to pour in from across the political spectrum. Supporters of Governor Fubara have welcomed the engagement, describing it as a sign that the governor is engaging constructively with national leadership to protect democracy and the mandate given to him by Rivers voters. Some civil society groups have also urged President Tinubu to ensure that constitutional order is maintained and that impeachment is not used as a tool for political vendetta.
On the other hand, allies of the Rivers Assembly leadership have downplayed the significance of the meeting, insisting that impeachment is a constitutional process within the powers of the legislature. They argue that no external influence, whether from the presidency or elsewhere, should interfere with what they describe as the lawmakers’ duty to hold the executive accountable.
As of now, neither the presidency nor the Rivers State Government has released an official statement confirming the outcome of the meeting. However, insiders say discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, with efforts being made to de-escalate tensions and explore political solutions to the crisis.
With impeachment proceedings now underway and political tempers running high, all eyes remain on the next moves by both the Rivers State House of Assembly and the presidency. Whether the meeting in France will lead to dialogue, compromise, or a pause in the impeachment process remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Rivers political crisis has entered a critical phase, one that could shape the state’s political future and test Nigeria’s democratic institutions in the months ahead.
