By Mohammed Bello Doka
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in a development that has further fueled speculation about shifting political dynamics within the Presidency, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was notably absent.
Sources familiar with the meeting confirmed that Governor Fubara arrived at the Villa in the evening and met privately with the President. No official statement was issued at the end of the meeting, and neither party addressed journalists, keeping the agenda and outcome strictly under wraps.
The absence of Wike — a former Rivers State governor and long-time political heavyweight widely known to have wielded strong influence in the state’s affairs — has drawn public and political attention. Multiple reports indicate that Wike was not part of the meeting and did not attend the Presidential Villa at the time, despite widespread expectations given his past closeness to both Tinubu and matters relating to Rivers State politics.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of deepening political tension in Rivers State, including recent defections within the State House of Assembly and ongoing realignments that have weakened the power bloc traditionally associated with Wike. Analysts say Tinubu’s direct engagement with Fubara, without Wike’s presence, may signal a recalibration of influence at the centre of power.
In recent weeks, political commentators and media reports have suggested that Wike’s standing within President Tinubu’s inner circle may be waning. These claims cite growing unease within the administration over Wike’s confrontational political style, controversies linked to his role as FCT minister, and the federal government’s handling of the Rivers political crisis — developments perceived by some as reducing his leverage.
However, Wike remains a serving cabinet member and has repeatedly affirmed loyalty to President Tinubu, publicly denying any rift with the Presidency. No official action has been taken to suggest he has been removed or formally sidelined from government.
For now, the closed-door Tinubu–Fubara meeting — held without Wike — is being closely watched as a potential turning point in Rivers State politics and a possible indication of evolving power dynamics within the Tinubu administration, especially as political maneuvering quietly intensifies ahead of 2027.