The political tension between two key figures in Rivers State—the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara—reached new heights on Tuesday when the two gladiators reportedly ignored each other during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Villa.

Wike and Fubara, part of an Ogoni delegation discussing the potential revival of oil production in Ogoniland, were said to have posed for a group photo with the President, but neither exchanged pleasantries. According to a source present, the encounter was cold—no greetings, no hugs—just a quick transition into the business at hand.

After the photograph, Wike swiftly returned to his duties, having arrived in the Villa earlier to inspect and commission various projects. The source emphasized that Wike, as a Minister from Rivers, was only there in his official capacity, not for political discussions.

When questioned about any potential reconciliation between Wike and Fubara, the source confirmed that there was no opportunity for such a conversation. The President engaged only with Magnus Abe during the meeting, highlighting that the main focus was business, not the ongoing political rift in Rivers.

Despite Wike’s repeated statements about refusing to reconcile with Fubara until the crisis is resolved, efforts toward peace are still in motion. The Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has formed a peace committee, led by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, aiming to broker a truce between the two political rivals.

A source close to the peace initiative urged the leaders to seize this moment for reconciliation, stressing that the crisis is harming Rivers State and that the state’s progress hinges on both leaders ending their bitter feud.