Face-Off Resumes in Rivers as Wike-Backed Lawmakers Take on Fubara

Just three months after Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and his political son, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, reached a peace agreement, Rivers State’s political players are preparing for yet another crisis.

There will be another confrontation between the governor and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and loyal to the FCT Minister.

Recall that in late 2023, just months after the governor took office, a political dispute arose as a result of a fierce struggle between Fubara and Wike over control of the state’s political system.

After the Martins Amaewhule-led state Assembly members entered the conflict in 2024, the confrontation between the two leaders got worse.

Recall that on December 11, 2023, roughly 27 MPs who supported the FCT Minister defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the defection was not warmly received, and on July 6, 2024, members of the house supported by Fubara declared their seats empty, intensifying the state’s political unrest.

The situation persisted until President Bola Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers on May 18, 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

But when Tinubu met with Fubara, Wike, and Amaewhule at the State House on July 27, 2025, he mediated a settlement between the warriors.

Just three months later, on December 1st, 2025, Amaewhule harshly denounced Governor Fubara’s administration, accusing it of ignoring the state’s public primary and secondary schools. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the crisis.

Amaewhule was heard stating that the deterioration under government control is intolerable and shameful in a widely shared video.

It is “a sad commentary,” according to Amaewhule, that public schools in the oil-rich state have gotten so bad that students are learning without teachers, vandals have taken over school property, and one teacher is required to teach two courses at once.

16 lawmakers abandon Fubara’s PDP

On Friday, December 5, Amaewhule and fifteen other assembly members defected from Fubara’s PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, indicating the start of yet another crisis in the state.

Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1) are among the fifteen legislators.

These include Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Peter Abbey (Degema), Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Assembly-related queries The postponement of Fubara’s commissioner presentation

The assembly confronted the governor on Friday for postponing the submission of a list of commissioner-nominees for screening, which was another indication of a new crisis.

Recall that in September 2025, when the House met for the first time after the emergency rule was suspended, the Assembly asked the governor to send a list of commissioner nominations in order to guarantee efficient state government.

According to the Supreme Court’s verdict, Fubara had previously fired all commissioners chosen during the height of the political crisis because they had not been vetted by the Assembly, which is recognized by the constitution.

But the governor’s inability to send the house a new list of commissioner-nominees has led to yet another confrontation.

Rivers residents don’t need this right now, according to ADC Chairman

The state does not currently require another wave of crises, according to Leader Sampson, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State branch.

In an interview, Sampson cautioned the assembly members and all stakeholders involved in the developing situation not to put the lives of Rivers people in danger for personal gain.

“Obviously, the state does not need this at this time,” he stated. Following the resolution of their previous problems and the lifting of the state of emergency, we anticipated that the legislative and executive branches of government would work together to advance the state.

But what we observe is what we predicted earlier. We were aware of their self-serving motivation for achieving peace at that time.

“We are unable to even call that one peace agreement.” Certain people’s interests led to the agreement of terms.

As soon as Amaewhule chastised the governor, we were certain that trouble was brewing. When they discussed schools, they were merely searching for a way to pin the governor. They had already decided what they intended to do.

“Everyone is free to engage in politics, but not at the expense of the Rivers people.”

Austin Okai: “They have left Fubara behind.”

In response, Austin Okai, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), questioned why the governor was left out of the party in spite of the reconciliation.

Some of the governor’s followers have also deserted him, according to Okai, who called Fubara “back to his vomit.”

“Despite reconciliation, Wike’s train moved to the APC without carrying him,” he stated.

“Those who stood by him have also deserted him since he returned to his own vomit, leaving him lonely.”