What started as a political mentorship quickly spiraled into one of Nigeria’s most intense political battles. The fallout between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has reshaped the state’s political landscape, culminating in a dramatic state of emergency.
The Rise of Fubara and the Cracks in Loyalty
Before the 2023 elections, Siminalayi Fubara was an unknown name in Rivers State politics. Having built a career in finance, he had no prior political base.
But Wike, determined to install a loyal successor, handpicked Fubara as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and ran his entire campaign for him.
Once in office, however, Fubara’s allegiances started to shift. He began aligning himself with political figures opposed to Wike, particularly those who backed PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
This shift signaled the beginning of tensions between the two.
Power Struggles Over Appointments
One of the first major points of conflict arose over the appointment of state commissioners. Wike reportedly insisted on selecting all cabinet members, leaving Fubara with just one nominee.
Frustration mounted when Fubara tried to assert his authority by forwarding two additional nominees to the State Assembly—an action that Wike’s loyalists saw as a direct challenge.
A Government in Crisis
Soon, cracks in the administration widened. Reports surfaced that Fubara could not approve expenditures beyond ₦30 million without clearance from Wike’s camp in Abuja.
The governor, feeling increasingly sidelined, contemplated resigning.
Matters escalated dramatically on October 29, 2023, when the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was bombed.
The very next day, under the governor’s watch, bulldozers demolished the structure, with officials citing “structural defects.”
Insiders, however, claimed it was a strategic move to prevent an imminent impeachment plot against Fubara.
Defections and Political Maneuvering
As the feud intensified, Wike’s loyalists began resigning en masse from Fubara’s cabinet.
In a bid to strengthen his grip, Fubara appointed Edison Ehie—once Speaker of the Assembly—as his Chief of Staff, ensuring sensitive government information no longer leaked to Wike’s camp.
The political war reached new heights in December 2023 when 27 pro-Wike lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC. They were officially welcomed by APC leaders at a grand event in Port Harcourt.
Fubara’s Counterattack: Local Government Elections
Determined to reclaim control, Fubara orchestrated a strategic move in October 2024. Using the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), he organized local government elections—but strategically blocked PDP candidates from participating.
Instead, his supporters joined the Action People’s Party (APP), which went on to win all 23 local government seats. This bold move further enraged Wike and deepened the divide.
Judicial Battles: Courts at War
The legal war between the two camps played out in different courtrooms. In Rivers State courts, Fubara consistently won favorable rulings—validating his 4-man House of Assembly, approving the state budget, and confirming the defection of the 27 lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Wike secured victories in Abuja courts, fueling speculations about judicial bias.
Supreme Court Verdict and the Final Blow
On February 18, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a decisive ruling against Fubara. The judgment stopped state allocations, ordered him to re-present the 2025 budget to the pro-Wike Assembly, and further cemented Wike’s influence.
The ruling sparked nationwide controversy, with many questioning its fairness.
Sensing renewed power, the pro-Wike lawmakers quickly issued ultimatums—demanding Fubara re-submit the budget, sack his commissioners, and comply with their authority.
The House even initiated impeachment proceedings and called on the DSS to investigate the state’s Chief Judge.
State of Emergency Declared
In a stunning turn of events, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025.
The proclamation suspended the governor, deputy governor, and the House of Assembly—temporarily halting the raging political fire.
The crisis in Rivers State remains one of the most explosive political battles in Nigeria’s recent history. As the dust settles, many are left wondering: Is this the end, or just another chapter in an ongoing power struggle?
Stay tuned for more updates on NIGPOST.
Leave a Reply