The Political Crisis in Rivers State Deepens
Rivers State, widely regarded as southern Nigeria’s political heartbeat, is embroiled in yet another round of intense political drama. At the core of the storm is Chief Nyesom Wike, the former governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who is locked in a high-stakes political war with his replacement, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The latest outburst came during a grand event hosted by the Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPCO) to commemorate Wike, during which he cruelly criticised the Fubara camp for choosing the All Peoples Party (APP) as their political platform despite rising tensions in Rivers State.
Wike, known for his sharp political instincts and no-holds-barred rhetoric, did not hold back as he openly ridiculed the Fubara camp’s political manoeuvring. “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating the APP,” Wike said during his speech at the civic reception in Amadi-Ama, Abuloma, Okirika Local Government Area. His sarcastic tone highlighted the absurdity, in his view, of APP becoming a force in the state’s politics. As the political divide deepens, Wike’s public dismissal of Fubara’s political decisions underscores a brewing conflict that could reshape the political landscape in Rivers and beyond.
A Crumbling Alliance: The Rise of the Rivers State Crisis
The crisis between Wike and Fubara did not occur overnight. Once buddies, Wike was instrumental in ensuring that Fubara, an Ijaw from Opobo, became governor of Rivers State. This was viewed as a masterstroke of political inclusivity and a monument to Wike’s leadership, which many praised as an attempt to balance the state’s political scales. However, that relationship has subsequently eroded, putting the two men on opposing sides of the political spectrum.
The friction rose when it became evident that Fubara’s style of governance did not meet Wike’s expectations. Wike, who is never shy about expressing his unhappiness, began openly criticising Fubara’s leadership. The final straw came when Fubara’s loyalists opted to abandon the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and align themselves with the APP, a party that Wike sees as politically insignificant in Rivers State. This move was viewed as a direct affront to Wike’s political dominance in the region.
Wike’s Scathing Criticism: “Money Doesn’t Move Politics”
Wike’s remarks at the RIPCO event was a political masterclass in humiliating opponents. With political heavyweights including Petroleum Minister (State) Heineken Lokpobiri, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and former governors Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Okezie Ikpeazu in attendance, Wike seizes the opportunity to weaken Fubara’s political credibility.
“Money does not move. You can have all the money, but if there is no capacity, there is no capacity,” Wike proclaimed, in what many interpreted as a direct attack on Fubara’s apparent dependency on financial resources to maintain his political position. Wike has long prided himself on being a grassroots politician who relies on his abilities to rally support via sheer determination and charisma rather than financial incentives. His criticism of Fubara’s camp choosing APP further emphasised Wike’s disdain for what he sees as opportunistic politics devoid of real substance.
Ijaw Lawmakers’ Unwavering Support for Wike
One of the most startling parts of Wike’s speech was his ability to enlist the support of the majority of Ijaw MPs in the Rivers State House of Assembly. As Wike called on all Ijaw legislators to join him on stage, it became clear that ten out of twelve were fully in his camp, backing Speaker of the House Martins Amaewhule. This show of solidarity among the Ijaw representatives is a significant political advantage for Wike, as it suggests that despite the internal rifts, he retains considerable influence over key political figures within the state.
Wike’s narrative was clear: the Fubara camp, with its alignment to APP, is an aberration, and the majority of the Ijaw people are still loyal to his political vision. “If anybody tells you that Ijaw people are fighting me, it is not true. It is just a few ungrateful Ijaw people,” Wike asserted. His dismissal of Fubara’s support within the Ijaw community as being limited to a handful of detractors was a strategic move aimed at portraying Fubara’s camp as politically isolated.
“A Leadership of the Stomach”: Wike Takes Aim at Opportunism
Wike’s speech was also notable for its blistering critique of political opportunism within the state. In a pointed remark, he likened the state government under Fubara’s leadership to a marketplace, where individuals rush in to enrich themselves but ultimately leave disappointed. “There is a big market, and some people are rushing to the market. Soon, they will come back and say there is nothing good in the market,” Wike quipped, in what many interpreted as a jab at those who, in his view, have betrayed the PDP and aligned with Fubara for personal gain.
His comment about the origins of Fubara’s candidacy further underscored his frustration. Wike recounted how he had initially faced criticism for endorsing an Opobo man, with some detractors arguing that Opobo was not truly Ijaw. “Now food is ready, and Opobo has become the real Ijaw. This is leadership of the stomach,” Wike remarked sarcastically, pointing to the hypocrisy of those who now rally around Fubara.
The Battle for the PDP Structure: Wike’s Unwavering Grip on Power
The battle for control of Rivers State’s PDP structure lies at the heart of the present turmoil. Wike, the PDP’s political godfather in Rivers for many years, has stated unequivocally that he will not relinquish control of the party’s machinery. “I said nobody would take the structure of the party. We are law-abiding people, nobody should push us to the wall,” Wike warned, signalling that any attempts by Fubara’s camp to wrest control of the PDP would be met with fierce resistance.
The battle for the PDP structure is about more than simply political survival; it is also about legacy. For Wike, preserving control of the PDP in Rivers is critical to solidifying his political legacy as the state’s most powerful politician in recent memory. Fubara, on the other hand, believes that breaking away of Wike’s shadow is important for his administration to work freely. Fubara’s adherents’ choice of the APP exemplifies their determination to carve out their own political identity, even if it means identifying with a party that is not widely seen as a prominent force in the state.
Violence and intimidation: A Brewing Conflict Takes a Dangerous Turn
As the political crisis worsens, the situation in Rivers State becomes more volatile. During his address, Wike stated that his adversaries had used aggressive tactics, claiming that thugs armed with dynamite were dispatched to attack the RIPCO event venue. Fortunately, the culprits were arrested by police, but the episode underlines the potentially hazardous path of the political struggle.
Wike did not mince words while addressing the problem, warning that any additional attempts to disrupt his operations will result in a severe response. “Let me see how they would hide it. Where the Minister of FCT and governors are coming, they sent boys to dynamite here. Let me see how they release them,” Wike declared, suggesting that his political opponents would be held accountable for their actions.
The Role of the G5 and National Implications
Wike’s speech was especially remarkable for the participation of his G5 colleagues, a group of important former governors who had risen to positions of power within the PDP. Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Okezie Ikpeazu were all in attendance, expressing their support for Wike and indicating that the Rivers crisis had national repercussions.
Ortom, in his remarks, praised Wike as a steadfast ally and a man who would never abandon his friends. This show of solidarity from the G5 suggests that Wike’s political clout extends far beyond Rivers State and that any attempts to undermine him could have consequences on the national stage.
A Political Showdown Looms in Rivers State
The situation in Rivers State has far from ended. As Wike and Fubara continue to dispute, the state’s political future hangs in the balance. Wike’s mockery of Fubara’s camp for supporting the APP is only one part in a larger political tale that has the ability to transform both Rivers politics and the national political scene. As Wike himself warned, “We have not started politics; when the time comes, we will play politics.” The battle lines have been drawn, and the people of Rivers State are bracing for a political showdown that promises to be both brutal and transformative.
As of yet, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not publicly responded to the most recent round of criticism from Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and his political predecessor. However, given the ongoing political situation in Rivers, Fubara’s prior actions and words indicate that he is still intent on solidifying his political base and preserving control over state governance, despite Wike’s influence and public attacks.
Governor Fubara’s key response to the escalating tensions has largely come through his camp’s decision to align with the All Peoples Party (APP), which Wike has openly ridiculed. This move, seen by political observers as a bold attempt to break free from Wike’s shadow and create an independent political identity, has been the most direct indication of Fubara’s strategy. Fubara’s group has chosen the APP as an alternative platform, indicating a desire to challenge Wike’s influence over the state’s political structure, particularly within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
While Fubara has not explicitly answered Wike’s latest diatribe, his quiet could be intentional, as he is either planning his next move or waiting for a more appropriate time to openly oppose Wike’s vitriol. Given the high stakes and the complexity of Rivers politics, Fubara’s response, when it comes, could shape the future trajectory of the crisis. Many anticipate that his next move will either intensify the political battle or signal a possible reconciliation.
Political insiders suggest that Governor Fubara is focused on stabilising his administration and delivering on governance, aiming to prove his critics wrong by prioritising developmental projects in the state. However, with Wike continuing to exert pressure and the crisis showing no signs of abating, Fubara may be forced to respond more assertively in the near future to safeguard his political standing.