Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, recently held a significant closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This meeting, described by Fubara as a "father-son discussion," took place on a Monday evening, shortly after the Governor officially resumed his duties in Rivers State following the lifting of an emergency rule.

The primary purpose of Governor Fubara’s visit was to express gratitude to President Tinubu for his intervention and guidance, and to formally inform him of his return and resumption of responsibilities. Fubara emphasized that the discussion aimed to ensure proper guidance from the President to prevent any future crises in the state.

The emergency rule, which had been in effect in Rivers State since March 18, was officially lifted by President Tinubu at midnight on September 17. During this period, democratic institutions were suspended, and a retired admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas, was appointed as the sole administrator to oversee the state's affairs. President Tinubu had directed Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly to resume their official duties. Governor Fubara, who was abroad when the suspension was lifted, arrived back in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on September 19 to a jubilant reception from his supporters.

Addressing State House correspondents after his meeting with the President, Governor Fubara reiterated that peace has been successfully restored in Rivers State. He confirmed that he is now working harmoniously with his principal and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, putting the past political crisis behind them. Fubara highlighted his decision to resist pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the emergency rule and the suspension of democratic institutions, a move he described upon resuming office.

This meeting marked Governor Fubara's first official visit to the State House since his reinstatement after the six-month emergency rule. The timing of the meeting, which occurred on the same day President Tinubu held separate sessions with other key political figures including the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and top economic officials, fueled speculation about its connection to the deep-seated political crisis in Rivers State and its strategic importance to national politics.