The Rivers State political crisis takes a fresh twist as Nyesom Wike demands that Governor Fubara re-present the 2025 budget and resubmit his commissioners’ list before peace can be restored. Read the full details of the power tussle and Wike’s controversial statement about Ijaw politics.
The lingering political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new turn as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor, Nyesom Wike, has issued two major conditions for peace to return to the state.
Wike, in a statement made to journalists in Abuja, insisted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara must first re-present the 2025 budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule and also resubmit the list of his commissioners for clearance before any reconciliation can be achieved.
The FCT Minister stated categorically that Fubara’s refusal to comply with these demands would make peace impossible in Rivers State.
“What is peace? What is important is, let the right thing be done. When the right things are done, there will be peace. But if the right thing is not done, how would you say you want peace? Peace is predicated on doing the right thing. Go and re-present the budget, go and submit the list of the commissioners. You cannot do illegality,” Wike declared.
The former governor’s remarks have further intensified the political tension in Rivers, which has been engulfed in a power tussle between Wike and Fubara. The crisis, which initially began as a disagreement over political control, has spiraled into a full-blown battle for supremacy, with the state assembly playing a crucial role in determining the balance of power.
Wike also revealed the backstory of how he single-handedly installed Fubara as governor despite opposition from politicians of Ijaw extraction. He made a controversial assertion that the Ijaw people are a minority in Rivers State and across the Niger Delta region, adding that they stand no chance of becoming governors in any other state apart from Bayelsa.
“I picked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the position despite some politicians of Ijaw extraction kicking against the decision. But let’s face facts: Ijaws are a minority in Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta. They cannot become governors in any other state in the region except Bayelsa,” Wike asserted.
The statement has sparked outrage among political observers and stakeholders in Rivers State, with many questioning Wike’s continued influence over the affairs of the state. Some political analysts argue that his conditions for peace are merely tactics to exert control over Fubara’s administration, while others believe the governor is being pressured to legitimize the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, which has been at the center of the conflict.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on Governor Fubara and how he will respond to Wike’s demands. Will he bow to pressure and meet the conditions set by his predecessor, or will he take a bold stance to assert his authority as the elected governor of Rivers State?
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