President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, hosted a closed-door meeting with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, alongside a delegation of Ogoni leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

 

The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders, appeared cordial, as photos shared by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, captured Wike and Fubara smiling in a rare show of unity amid their ongoing political feud.

 

Dada shared the images on X with the caption, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meets with Governor Fubara, HM Nyesom Wike, and Ogoni leaders at the State House.”


 

Other high-ranking officials in attendance included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.



The meeting came on the heels of heightened demands from a coalition of civil society organisations advocating the allocation of $1 trillion by the Federal Government for the cleanup of the Niger Delta.

 

They also requested compensation for livelihoods lost due to environmental degradation before the resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland.

 

The gathering was also significant, given the prolonged rift between Governor Fubara and Wike, who were once close political allies.

 


Their smiles and apparent camaraderie at the event have raised speculation about possible reconciliation or collaboration in addressing Ogoni-related and state issues.

 

Although details of the discussions remain undisclosed, the presence of such high-profile figures underscores the Federal Government’s focus on fostering unity and addressing critical issues in the Niger Delta region.