By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
There are indications that President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the escalating political feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, amid a fresh impeachment move against the governor.
A highly credible source close to the President told The Punch that Tinubu had summoned Wike for a meeting over the Rivers crisis, which would be held outside the country. The source said Fubara also travelled abroad on Thursday on a private jet, with plans to meet Tinubu in France.
This comes amid a fresh impeachment process against Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said to be loyal to Wike.
These include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission and refusal to obey the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy.
Speaking on the situation, the source said, “The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing… Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order.” He warned that the move could inflame tensions in the Niger Delta, adding, “If you say you want to sack the first Ijaw man to be governor, are you not sending the Ijaw people back to the creeks?”
A senior presidential aide confirmed Tinubu was in France and would proceed to Abu Dhabi, while APC leaders reportedly plan to meet the President over concerns that Wike’s actions undermine party unity.
An ally of Wike dismissed claims of disrespect, saying, “People accusing the minister of disrespecting the President are mischievous… Wike is a number one supporter of Mr President.”
However, an APC official warned that Wike’s conduct was portraying the President as weak, while former senator Andrew Uchendu described the prolonged crisis as an embarrassment and urged Tinubu to intervene.