Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, recently held a peace meeting in Abuja with the suspended Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers. This gathering was an important step in trying to end the long-standing political crisis in the state.

According to reports on Thursday evening, June 26, the private meeting ended on a good note. Fubara and Amaewhule were seen shaking hands and smiling, which gave people hope that peace might finally be coming after months of tension.

This is the first time the governor and the lawmakers are meeting directly since the conflict began. Their coming together is seen as a major move toward peace.

Governor Fubara was suspended from office on March 19, after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to rising violence. The National Assembly approved the suspension and named former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retired), as the interim leader for six months.

Before this peace meeting, Fubara had separate talks with President Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Wike is believed to play a big role in the crisis and its possible resolution.

Wike has said many times that any peace deal must include Fubara apologizing and making peace with the lawmakers. Some of them claim they haven’t been paid their salaries or benefits in over two years.

Now, many believe that this latest meeting is the clearest sign yet that peace might be possible in Rivers State.