President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed full blame on Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, accusing him of complicity in the unrest. However, his statement conspicuously omitted any mention of former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who many believe is the real architect of the turmoil.
Meanwhile, the judiciary, which has stalled the defection case against Wike’s loyalists, remains silent—fueling suspicions of a coordinated power play. With the courts delaying justice and the federal government taking sides, many are asking: Is this governance or a calculated political takedown?
The crisis in Rivers has escalated due to a deepening rift between Fubara and Wike, his political predecessor. Tensions peaked when lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after Fubara refused to serve as Wike’s rubber-stamp governor. This defection not only tilted legislative control in Wike’s favor but also ensured that his influence over the state remained intact, despite no longer being in office.
Despite Wike’s central role in the crisis, Tinubu’s statement focused solely on Fubara, accusing him of failing to curb rising threats from militants and vandalism. “The latest security reports show that between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them,” Tinubu stated. By framing Fubara as an accomplice, the President’s remarks seemingly absolved Wike of any wrongdoing, despite mounting evidence of his continued interference in Rivers politics.
Political analysts argue that this silence is far from accidental. Wike played a key role in delivering Rivers State to Tinubu in the disputed 2023 presidential election, with independent reports, including those from BBC, alleging electoral manipulation. Now, many believe Tinubu’s refusal to mention Wike is a calculated move to protect a crucial political ally.
Following Tinubu’s remarks, the Rivers State House of Assembly, dominated by Wike’s loyalists who defected to the APC, swiftly moved to endorse the condemnation of Fubara. However, rather than conducting a formal vote or debate, the motion was passed through a mere voice vote—a decision that has drawn criticism for its lack of transparency and legitimacy.
A voice vote, where lawmakers simply say “aye” or “nay” without an official count, has been widely criticized for being prone to manipulation. Many see this as a rubber-stamp approval designed to reinforce Wike’s political agenda rather than a genuine legislative decision.
The entire process was a sham,” a legal expert noted. “The lawmakers who shifted allegiance to APC are still dancing to Wike’s tune, and they ensured that the vote was passed in a way that could not be contested.
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With the President backing Wike’s camp and the lawmakers officially placing blame on Fubara, the governor’s political future is increasingly uncertain. His refusal to be a rubber-stamp leader for Wike has put him at odds with both the legislature and the presidency, raising questions about whether he can survive the mounting pressure. As the power struggle continues, Rivers State remains at the center of political intrigue. Many are left wondering: Is this about governance, or is it simply another chapter in Nigeria’s history of political power plays?
