Rivers crisis: Intrigues, twists as Wike, Fubara resume fight

Following what appeared to be a brief respite, the political crisis engulfing Rivers State took on a new significance on Monday when 27 of the 32 members of the State House of Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is in power, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to observers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s purported mediation of the conflict between Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike failed, as evidenced by the current issue.

The State Assembly attempted to impeach the governor as a result of the stress and division caused by the irreconcilable political differences between Fubara and Wike.

In the process, a bomb was dropped on the House of Assembly compound.

Fubara was charged by Wike with planning the fire that destroyed a portion of the State House of Assembly building.

He asserted that Governor Fubara made the action upon discovering that he was the target of an impeachment attempt.

When Fubara and a few aides visited the complex to evaluate the extent of the explosion’s damage, the police used tear gas on them. This gave rise to a split among state lawmakers, with one faction supporting Wike and the other remaining loyal to the governor.

Previously, attorney and Pan-Africanist Chetam Thierry Nwala had claimed that Rivers State’s political turmoil resulted from unmet demands made by Wike.

Speaking on Arise Television, Nwala claimed that the ongoing conflict started from Governor Fubara’s refusal to give Wike, his immediate predecessor, a quarter of the State’s budget.

He asserted that Wike had insisted on receiving twenty-five percent of the funds allotted to Rivers State.

Nwala continued by claiming that Wike sought N2 billion from the N5 billion that the federal government had just given the states as palliative measures to lessen the impact of the elimination of gasoline subsidies.

The majority of the governor’s assistants, including commissioners and the chief security officer, were reportedly appointed by the FCT Minister.

Wike requested a quarter of Rivers State’s allotment. We’ve heard that the governor even extended an offer to give him ten percent. This is the situation that exists in our state.

Not only that, but Wike also named the governor’s chief security officer in addition to nearly all of the commissioners.The governor ought to be concerned about these personal matters. These are factors that ought to incite him to rebel.

We have observed instances in which Wike’s appointed commissioners disdain the governor. Everyone will, of course, rebel. You can’t count on the governor to honor any pre-election agreements.

Let me also startle you: Wike wanted N2 billion from the N5 billion in palliative funds that were delivered to Rivers State. This is the reason why some of us applaud Fubara’s moves,” he said.

In response to the claim, Wike stated that his disagreement with Governor Fubara was solely political.

If the Minister was asking for N20 billion a month, he claimed it was politics. He questioned Fubara’s whereabouts throughout their argument.

Wike also promised to uphold his framework and continue to be politically relevant.

“It’s politics if I demand N20 billion every month and even give myself all the contracts. When I was battling, where was he?

“I need to preserve my political framework and remain politically relevant. I can’t let someone cut me off right away.

The minister responded, “If you like, accuse me all you like; I won’t have a sleepless night because the right thing must be done.”

Additionally, Wike had previously asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, was investigating the political turmoil in the State.

In keeping with the theme, Fubara also claimed that there was nothing wrong with a “father and a son” having disagreements. This seemed to be a reference to the split that existed between him and Wike, who assisted in his installation as governor.

I understand that everyone is curious about what is and is not happening in our beloved State. There is no issue; we are fine,” he remarked.

“If there is an internal problem, it will be fixed, and business as usual will resume.

The governor declared, “If there is a problem, it is between a father and a son, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with it; whatever it is, we will definitely resolve the issue.”

Fubara, however, has recently adopted a more accommodating stance and promised never to let intimidation or blackmail to take the State.

He maintained that the State belongs to the people and that he would defend it against extortion.

At the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers’ quarterly general meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday, he gave a speech.

“Remember that Rivers State is our collective inheritance, and it is my responsibility as governor to safeguard, defend, and enhance it.

“I promise that I will fulfill my obligations to you and that I will not give up on our mission in favor of coercion, extortion, and intentional damage.

The governor declared, “There is nothing to gain in a state of unnecessary crisis. I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace.”

Nevertheless, the issue that is roiling the State took a fresh turn on Monday when twenty-seven State House of Assembly members who support Wike defected to the APC from the PDP.

The lawmakers said that the main cause of their departure to the APC was internal PDP strife.

Around eight in the morning, the decision was made with the defecting members sitting under heavy security at the entrance to the Assembly compound along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.

In an apparent countermove, Fubara also called a meeting of the executive council to discuss an emergency. The 2024 budget plan was agreed at the meeting, which was also anticipated to address the resignation of 27 State House of Assembly members from the PDP to the APC.

In the meantime, the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, has received a letter from the PDP national leadership requesting new elections to replace the 27 Rivers lawmakers.

This was stated in a press release that Debo Ologunagba, the party’s national publicity secretary, signed.

Ologunagba claims that because the defecting MPs ran for office in their respective areas on the party’s platform, their seats are now empty.

“The seats of the respective 27 former lawmakers have become vacant by virtue of the provision of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” Ologunagba stated, citing the party’s constitution.

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been asked by the Labour Party (LP) to declare vacant the seats of the 27 members who left the party that supported their election.

In a further development on Tuesday, Edison Ehie was formally recognized as the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly by a sitting high court in Port Harcourt.

Fubara has the support of four legislators, including Edison Ehie.

The Wike-supporting colleagues of Edison suspended him and took away his leadership position in the house.

Martins Amaewhule and Dumle Maol were instructed by Judge M.W. Danagogo, who rendered the decision, to cease representing themselves as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court issued a warning against trying to access the Assembly Complete with the help of police officers and goons.
The subject, a Peaceland University, Enugu, Nduka Odo communication scholar and public affairs analyst, asked the governor of Rivers to win over people’s hearts by spearheading transformative initiatives throughout the state.

“Running to the people of the state is the best way to fight ruthless godfathers,” he said.

Odo advised Nigeria set up a structure that checks this kind of diversion by political godfathers, even as he questioned why such a drama should be permitted to carry on at the expense of the state’s growth.

“You’re asking me what my view is,” he said. In response to you, I would like to know if this is the first time we’ve had this shift in power between the parties.

Not at all. It’s not. Regrettably, politicians and powerful men will sadly continue to alter the political landscape for their own selfish ends.

“I would have chosen a side in the dispute, but as of right now, there is no evidence to suggest that one of the two sides to the Rivers State conflict is acting in the public interest. Everyone is exerting great effort to maintain their position of power.

“Let’s observe to see how long Fubara can continue fighting. The story will eventually run its course and we shall witness the entire thing.

“My honest recommendation to him is to follow Chris Ngige’s path when he faced attacks from godfathers while serving as governor. Running to the people of the state is the strongest defense against vicious godfathers.

“Start transforming lives throughout the state by gaining people’s hearts.

“The other choice is to engage in dirty warfare. Enugu’s Sullivan Chime did it in opposition to Chimaroke Nnamani. The political issue in Rivers State is centered on Nyesom Wike, who treated Chibuike Amaechi similarly in the past. He ought to take his cue from Obaseki of Edo, who had to contend with Oshiomole, his predecessor.

“Fubara’s third choice is to give in and follow Wike’s wishes. Finally, Wike makes the decision to remain or be banished, just like Ambode of Lagos.

The 27 state legislators have demonstrated their allegiance to Wike. The outcome of the fight will determine their fate. Wike or Fubara?

“We are unaware of the arrangement that Wike and the President had, but he is firmly depending on his support of the Jagaban’s mandate. In a recent video, of course, he danced and sang along to it.

However, Mr. President—not Fubara—will be the one to bring him to his knees.

“Fukara could easily come to an agreement with Mr. President as an incumbent governor. That’s it. Nobody who values their position wouldn’t want to defend it against someone who has openly demonstrated they will stop at nothing to obtain authority.

For this reason, I think the president wouldn’t want Wike to keep having unrestricted authority over Rivers. Not in response to Rivers, but rather to protect his position at Aso Rock.

“I suggest that Nigeria set up a mechanism to prevent this kind of diversion. How can we let these tragedies go on at the expense of the state’s advancement?