With 27 out of the 32 members of the State House of Assembly defecting from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, following what appeared to be a brief break, the political crisis roiling Rivers State took on a new dimension.
The current crisis, according to observers, is a sign that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s purported mediation of the dispute between Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has failed.
The state was tense and divided as a result of the irreconcilable political differences between Fubara and Wike, which prompted the State Assembly to try to remove the governor.
In the course of it, the House of Assembly complex was bombarded.
Wike said that Fubara was responsible for planning the State House of Assembly complex fire that destroyed a portion of it.
He stated that Fubara (Governor Fubara) made the move after becoming aware of an attempt on his impeachment.
State legislators began to divide into two factions—one supporting Wike, and the other loyal to the governor—when Fubara and a few aides visited the complex to evaluate the extent of the explosion’s damage. This gave rise to a new twist in the development.
Pan-Africanist and attorney Chetam Thierry Nwala has previously claimed that Rivers State’s political turmoil sprang from unmet demands made by Wike.
Nwala claimed in an appearance on Arise Television that the current conflict resulted from Governor Fubara’s failure to provide Wike, his immediate predecessor, a quarter of the State’s budget.
According to him, Wike had insisted on receiving 25% of all funds allotted to Rivers State.
Nwala went on to claim that as palliative measures to lessen the impact of the elimination of gasoline subsidies, Wike wanted N2 billion from the N5 billion recently given by the federal government to the states.
He said that the Chief Security Officer and commissioners were among the governor’s advisers most of whom were appointed by the FCT Minister.
25% of Rivers State’s allotments was demanded by Wike. We’ve been informed that the governor even extended an offer to give him 10%. This is the situation in our state.
“Not only that, but we had a situation where Wike named nearly every commissioner and the governor’s chief security officer.”These are private matters that the governor ought to be concerned about. He ought to rebel against these things.
We’ve witnessed instances where even Wike’s designated commissioners show disdain for the governor. Of course, everyone will rebel. It is unrealistic to anticipate that the governor will honor any pre-election agreements.
Allow me to shock you further: Wike wanted N2 billion from the N5 billion in palliative funds allocated to Rivers State. For this reason, a few of us applaud Fubara’s moves,” he claimed.
In response to the accusation, Wike stated that there was only political animosity between him and Governor Fubara.
If he asked for N20 billion a month, the Minister replied that would be political. When Fubara was fighting, he wondered where he was.
Wike also promised to stick with his structure and stay politically relevant.
Political activity would ensue if I were to demand N20 billion each month and even give myself all the contracts. Where had he been during my fight?
Maintaining my political framework and remaining politically relevant are crucial. I can’t let someone ignore me right away.
“Accuse me of anything you want; I won’t have a sleepless night because the right thing has to be done,” the minister declared.
Additionally, Wike previously asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, was investigating the political turmoil in the State.
Fubara followed suit when he stated that there was nothing wrong with a “father and a son” having disagreements. It seems that he was alluding to the disagreement with Wike, who assisted in appointing him as governor.
“I know everyone is curious in what’s happening and what isn’t in our beautiful state. He answered, “There is no problem; we are OK.
“If there is an internal problem, it will be fixed, and operations will resume as usual.
“If there is a problem, it’s between a father and his son, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with it; we will definitely find a solution,” the governor declared.
But Fubara lately adopted a more accommodating stance, promising never to give up the State to threats or blackmail.
He insisted that he will defend and safeguard the State against blackmail, saying it is the people’s legacy.
He gave a speech on Monday at the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers’ quarterly general meeting in Port Harcourt.
As I serve as governor, let us not forget that Rivers State is our communal inheritance, which I am responsible for protecting, defending, and advancing.
“I promise not to fail in our duty, to give up on our mission, and to give in to coercion, extortion, and intentional sabotage.
The governor declared, “I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace as there is nothing to gain in a state of unnecessary crisis.”
Twenty-seven State House of Assembly members who supported Wike defected from the PDP to the APC on Monday, adding a new twist to the already-shaking crisis in the state.
The legislators said that internal PDP strife was the main cause of their APC defection.
outside about eight in the morning, the defection lawmakers were seated under heavy protection outside the entrance of the Assembly compound along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, where the decision was made.
Fubara has called an emergency meeting of the executive council in what may be considered a countermove. The meeting approved the 2024 budget proposal in addition to the topic of discussion that was anticipated—namely, the defection of 27 State House of Assembly lawmakers from the PDP to the APC.
In the meantime, new elections to replace the 27 Rivers lawmakers have been demanded in a letter from the PDP national leadership to the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC.
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s national publicity secretary, signed a press release that said as much.
Ologunagba claims that the reason the lawmakers’ seats are empty is because they ran for office in their respective constituencies under the party’s platform.
Citing Section 109 (1) (g) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) as authority, Ologunagba stated, “The seats of the respective 27 former lawmakers have become vacant by virtue of this provision.”
Additionally, the Labour Party (LP) has asked the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly to vacate the seats held by the 27 members who defected from the political party that supported their election.
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday recognized Edison Ehie as the legitimate Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, in yet another unexpected development.
Among the four lawmakers that support Fubara is Edison Ehie.
The members of the house who support Wike suspended Edison and ousted him from leadership.
Along with issuing the verdict, Justice M.W. Danagogo directed Martins Amaewhule and Dumle Maol to desist from representing themselves as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court issued a warning against trying to obtain entrance to the Assembly Complete by armed robbers and police personnel.
A Peaceland University in Enugu, Nduka Odo, Public Affairs Analyst and Communication Scholar, the subject advised the governor of Rivers to win people over by implementing transformative initiatives all around the state.
He asserts that “running to the people of the state is the best way to fight ruthless godfathers.”
Odo proposed that Nigeria set up a mechanism that prevents political godfathers from using drama like this to divert attention from the country’s progress, even as he questioned why such a show should be permitted to go on.
“You want to know what my opinion is?” he said. In response to your query, may I ask whether this is the first time we’ve had this transfer of power from one party to another?
No. It isn’t. Regretfully, this is not the first time powerful men and politicians have altered the political environment for their own gain.
Although I would have chosen a side, there is currently no evidence to suggest that one of the two sides participating in the Rivers State dispute is acting in the public interest. To maintain control at all costs, everyone is exerting a lot of effort.
“Let us observe and determine the duration of Fubara’s conflict. The plot will eventually run its course and the entire story will be revealed.
“I’ll be blunt with him: follow Chris Ngige’s lead when godfathers pursued him during his time as a governor. Running to the state’s populace is the strongest defense against vicious godfathers.
“Start transforming lives around the state by engaging in programs that will win people over.
“Fighting dirty is the second option as well. It was done against Chimaroke Nnamani by Enugu’s Sullivan Chime. Chibuike Amaechi was treated similarly by Nyesom Wike, the man at the center of the political unrest in Rivers State. He need to take his lead from Obaseki of Edo, who had to battle his predecessor Oshiomole.
The final thing that Fubara can do is give in and do as Wike says. Afterwards, Wike makes the final decision of staying or leaving like Ambode of Lagos.
The 27 state legislators have proven to be devoted to Wike. Result of the conflict will determine their fate. Wike or Fubara.
“Wike is firmly relying on his support of the Jagaban’s mandate, albeit we are unsure of the arrangement he had with Mr. President. He did, of course, sing and dance to it in a new video.
But it will be Mr. President, not Fubara, who will be his biggest downfall.
As the governor in office, Fubara could easily come to a compromise with the president. That is all. Nobody in a position of love would not want to defend it against someone who has openly demonstrated they will stop at nothing to obtain authority.
This is the reason I think the president would object to Wike maintaining unrestricted authority over Rivers. To protect his perch at Aso Rock, not because of Rivers.
“In my opinion, Nigeria ought to set up a mechanism to prevent this kind of diversion. How can we allow these dramas to go on at the expense of the state’s progress?”
