“Wike Slams Fubara’s Letter to Rivers Assembly as ‘Useless’ Amid Political Showdown”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticized Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara over his letter seeking an audience with the state House of Assembly regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s political crisis.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, dismissed Fubara’s letter as “useless” and accused him of playing to the gallery instead of engaging in genuine political dialogue.

“You have had a frosty relationship with an arm of government. If you are a good politician, will you go and write a letter? Is it by writing a letter signed by the SSG? What an insult! Is it how it is done? If you are a politician, you know what to do,” Wike stated.

He argued that Speaker Martins Amaewhule and the lawmakers loyal to him are not Fubara’s subordinates and should be shown due respect. Instead of sending a public letter, Wike said, Fubara should have personally called Amaewhule to arrange a meeting.

The political turmoil in Rivers State escalated after the Supreme Court, on February 28, 2025, ruled in favor of Amaewhule’s leadership in the House, dismissing Fubara’s challenge against its legitimacy. The court ordered the Assembly to resume sitting and also placed restrictions on the state’s finances, barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General from releasing funds until the state complies with the ruling.

Additionally, the Supreme Court declared the local government elections held on October 5, 2024, as invalid. In response, Fubara announced his intention to fully implement the court’s verdict and directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to organize fresh local government elections on August 9, 2025.

Following this, the Rivers Assembly issued an arrest warrant for RSIEC Chief Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd) after he failed to appear before the lawmakers. The Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, also wrote to the Assembly on March 7, 2025, requesting a meeting for March 10 to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and hold peace talks. However, the lawmakers rejected the approach and advised Fubara to engage with them through proper channels.

The ongoing conflict underscores the deep division in Rivers State politics, with Wike and his loyalists maintaining a stronghold in the Assembly while Fubara struggles to assert authority.