The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has met with some suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The meeting took place in the United Kingdom, where Wike hosted the lawmakers for a dinner.

This dinner followed a separate meeting Wike had with his political allies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, just before he traveled out of Nigeria. His media aide, Lere Olayinka, shared the news on Facebook, saying the lawmakers are currently in the UK for a legislative capacity-building programme.

These lawmakers were earlier suspended by President Bola Tinubu, who also suspended Governor Sim Fubara for six months after declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State due to growing political tensions.

The political crisis between Wike and Fubara has deeply affected the state’s leadership and structure.

Although the Supreme Court later ordered that the suspended lawmakers be reinstated and instructed Governor Fubara to present the 2024 budget to the Assembly, the situation remains tense. Fubara was blocked from entering the Assembly complex when he tried to present the budget.

This dinner hosted by Wike highlights his continued involvement in the political happenings in Rivers State, even while outside the country.