Abuja, Nigeria – Former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticized his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for attempting to visit the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters without prior approval from the lawmakers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The incident took place on Wednesday when Fubara arrived at the Assembly Quarters to re-present the 2025 Budget as directed by the House, following the Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025, verdict that recognized Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker of the House. Amaewhule and over 20 lawmakers are known to be loyal to Wike.
Locked Out of Assembly Quarters
Upon his arrival, Fubara was denied entry into the Assembly Quarters, a move that fueled further controversy in the ongoing power struggle between him and Wike’s political camp. The governor, addressing reporters at the scene, insisted that he had properly communicated his intention to visit the Assembly to Amaewhule. The Rivers State Government had also issued an official letter notifying the House of his visit.
However, despite this notification, the governor was prevented from entering, escalating the already tense political situation in Rivers State.
Wike’s Response
Reacting to the incident during a media chat in Abuja, Wike accused Fubara of political grandstanding and failing to follow due process.
“If you write a letter to the Assembly, won’t you wait for a response? He is playing to the gallery. He brought television crews to say he went there. You know it’s wrong. Can the president now stand up and go to the National Assembly? Who does that?” Wike stated.
The FCT Minister further argued that Fubara had no right to show up unannounced at the Assembly Quarters, particularly after he demolished the official Assembly Complex in December 2023. He insisted that since lawmakers had been forced to conduct their legislative activities at the quarters, the governor should have waited for a formal invitation.
“He brought the Assembly Complex down. The Assembly now sits in their residence. If you are coming, they have children; they will say the governor is coming today, so they have to prepare themselves. You cannot just go and open the gate and say: ‘I’m coming to present a budget.’ Nonsense. Rubbish. Who is doing that? Playing to the gallery. Nobody will hear that,” Wike fumed.
Political Feud Deepens
The clash between Wike and Fubara has further deepened the political crisis in Rivers State, with both factions battling for control over the legislature. The tension between the two leaders has been brewing for months, stemming from Wike’s continued influence in the state and Fubara’s attempts to assert his authority as governor.
This latest development raises concerns over governance and stability in Rivers State, with many observers fearing that the ongoing rift could impact the state’s administration and budgetary processes.
Despite the controversy, Fubara has yet to issue an official response regarding his next course of action after being prevented from presenting the budget. However, political analysts believe this standoff could further polarize the Rivers political landscape in the coming months.
What Next for Rivers State?
With Wike maintaining a firm grip on the majority of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Fubara faces an uphill battle in executing his administration’s policies. The continued power struggle between both camps suggests that the political landscape in Rivers State remains unpredictable.
Observers are now watching closely to see if the situation will escalate further or if a compromise can be reached between both sides to restore stability in the state.
