Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, and those of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara engaged in a heated verbal exchange during a town hall meeting held in Port Harcourt. The gathering, which was meant to outline a path to peace and reconciliation in the state, was disrupted by sharp disagreements between the two factions. The event drew participants from both political camps, as well as other residents and indigenes of Rivers State, with the goal of promoting dialogue to ease the ongoing political tensions. Tensions escalated when Bright Amaewhule, President General of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), asserted that “there’s no indigene of Rivers State who does not acknowledge the pivotal role GDI played in Sim Fubara’s emergence as Governor.” He claimed GDI was responsible for taking Fubara across local government areas during the campaign, insisting their grassroots mobilization—not the Minister’s involvement—was key to his widespread acceptance. Amaewhule also alleged that certain individuals who later aligned with Fubara influenced him to turn his back on the political party that brought him to power, worsening the current crisis. Rivers State Labour Party Chairman, Hilda Dokubo, visibly upset by Amaewhule’s remarks, stormed out of the hall in protest, stating, “I can’t sit here and listen to this.” She was eventually persuaded by the organizers to return. In response, Mr. Kenwell Ibanibo questioned the role of GDI in the crisis, asking, “What did he [Fubara] do to warrant the first impeachment attempt after just five months?” He suggested that certain influential individuals were behind the impeachment attempt, triggering an uproar from supporters of the FCT Minister, led by Chibike Ikenga, the factional Rivers APC Publicity Secretary. Verbal exchanges escalated, with a Wike supporter shouting, “Insult Wike now! Una go still beg, una go still come lie down. Person wey lie down never stand up, una dey talk!” Hilda Dokubo, who had returned to her seat, responded fiercely, “Him no go lie down! I say him no go lie down!” As tensions escalated, the event’s anchor struggled to regain control, while human rights advocate Jake Epelle stepped in to help calm the situation. The atmosphere eased somewhat when Ibanibo agreed to step away from the stage temporarily, allowing the proceedings to continue. Later, when rights activist Ann-Kio Briggs began addressing the gathering on ways to resolve the crisis, she was interrupted by Mr. Ikenga. Unfazed, she firmly stated, “If I don’t speak for you, I speak for myself,” insisting on her right to be heard. The confrontation occurred just five days after Minister Wike publicly cautioned Governor Fubara to ensure his supporters conduct themselves appropriately if he truly desires peace. Wike issued the warning during his monthly media chat in Abuja.