The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new turn as former Governor Rotimi Amaechi alleges that the ongoing conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike is purely about financial control.
In a recent interview with DW, Amaechi dismissed the crisis as a struggle over money rather than governance.
He criticized Nigerians for not demanding accountability from both politicians.
“The fight between the current governor of Rivers State and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what’s the quarrel?” Amaechi questioned.
“Nigerians don’t dislike corruption anymore. I’ve not seen anyone demanding explanations from them. Can both of them come out and tell us the real issue?”
His comments come after President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) was appointed as Sole Administrator, with the presidency citing political instability and pipeline vandalism as reasons for the decision.
However, Amaechi strongly condemned the move, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent where elected governors can be removed at will.
“The president wants a power grab. They want to frighten governors who may not support them in 2027,” he alleged.
He also challenged the justification for the emergency rule, pointing out that other states with worse security challenges have not faced similar actions.
“If the president claims it’s due to insecurity because of a blown pipeline, what about other parts of the country facing worse insecurity? Should they also impose emergency rule there?”
Amaechi maintained that security matters fall under the president’s jurisdiction, not the governor’s, and argued that Fubara is being unfairly targeted.
“The Rivers governor has no security responsibility; it rests squarely on the president. So why punish a man who has not committed any offense?”
He urged Rivers residents to resist the decision through democratic protests, emphasizing that the emergency rule undermines constitutional governance.
As the political drama unfolds, Nigerians continue to debate the real motives behind the Rivers crisis.
Will this battle reshape the state’s political landscape, or is it just another chapter in the never-ending power struggle?
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