FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Sunday hosted Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his residence in Port Harcourt, in their first meeting since Fubara withdrew from the 2027 governorship race.

The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to consolidate the reconciliation between the two politicians, whose relationship deteriorated shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023.

Wike was joined at the meeting by Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, and Magnus Abe, chairman of the Rainbow Coalition reconciliation committee.

Former APC deputy national chairman Sam Jaja accompanied Fubara to the meeting.

The political crisis between Wike and Fubara had polarised Rivers State and escalated to impeachment proceedings against the governor by lawmakers loyal to Wike. The crisis eventually culminated in President Bola Tinubu declaring a six-month state of emergency in the state.

The two camps later reached a truce, with Fubara joining the APC and aligning with the Wike-backed Rainbow Coalition.

Wike subsequently announced that Fubara had returned to the political family that supported his emergence as governor, after which Abe-led reconciliation efforts were initiated.

Fubara has since declared support for the Rainbow Coalition and endorsed Chinda as his preferred successor in the 2027 governorship election.

He has also backed President Tinubu’s re-election bid and urged his supporters to support the president and candidates of the coalition.

Fubara had initially been screened alongside Chinda for the APC governorship primary but later withdrew from the race, saying the decision was in the interest of peace and unity in Rivers State.

Chinda, who became the sole aspirant following Fubara’s withdrawal, subsequently emerged as the APC governorship candidate.