A reconciliation initiative led by former Rivers State, Magnus Abe, has commenced efforts to resolve differences between Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s political camp and supporters of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The committee, established under the Rainbow Coalition, has begun holding discussions as part of a broader attempt to bring the two sides closer and strengthen cooperation within the political bloc ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development follows comments recently made by Wike during his monthly media briefing in Abuja. The FCT minister had disclosed that members of the coalition were preparing to engage with Governor Fubara as part of efforts to address existing political differences.
Photographs from the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday indicated that the reconciliation process had formally commenced, with representatives of the different camps attending the meeting.
Among those associated with Wike who participated in the discussions were former Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman, Dr Samuel Nwanosike; former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ambassador Desmond Akawor; and Kelechi Nwogu, a member of the House of Representatives.
The governor’s side was represented by Dr Tamunosiki Gogo-Jaja, a former Commissioner for Education in Rivers State.
Also involved in the meeting was Kingsley Chinda, who has been identified as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Rivers State governorship election scheduled for 2027.
The reconciliation body reportedly consists of 13 members, with Abe serving as its chairman and coordinating the negotiations between the various interests represented within the Rainbow Coalition.
While the meeting marks a significant development in the effort to bridge the political divide, the participants did not release specific details about what was discussed during the session.
As of the time of filing the report, neither the committee nor the participating political actors had publicly disclosed the resolutions reached or the next steps expected from the engagement.
A source familiar with the development told Punch that the gathering was deliberately limited to individuals who had been selected to serve on the reconciliation committee. The arrangement was reportedly intended to provide the members with an opportunity to discuss the issues privately and explore possible areas of agreement.
The latest development comes against the backdrop of Fubara’s recent political realignment. At a public gathering, the governor declared that he had returned to his “political family,” signalling a renewed relationship with the political structure associated with the coalition.
Fubara also publicly endorsed Chinda ahead of the 2027 governorship contest and called on his supporters to identify with the Rainbow Coalition.
The governor further encouraged his political associates and followers to support the coalition’s activities and back Chinda as preparations for the next general elections gather momentum.
The reconciliation talks are therefore being viewed as part of wider efforts to consolidate the political interests surrounding Fubara and Wike, particularly following the prolonged political disagreements that have shaped Rivers State politics.
The success of the committee’s negotiations could determine whether the different factions are able to reach a workable understanding and operate under a common political arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.
