Political Crisis in Rivers: Fubara Locked Out as Power Struggle Deepens
The political turmoil in Rivers State has escalated as Governor Siminalayi Fubara was denied access to the state assembly complex, highlighting an ongoing power struggle between him and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections and co-founder of the Sahara Group, has strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “declaration of war.” According to him, the lawmakers’ actions serve as a direct message to Fubara that he holds the title of governor but wields no real authority over the state.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when Governor Fubara attempted to re-present the 2025 budget, as requested by the 27 lawmakers led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, following the Supreme Court’s verdict on February 28, 2025. Despite informing the lawmakers in advance, Fubara found himself locked out of the legislative quarters, an act widely seen as a deliberate affront to his administration.
Reacting to the development during an interview on Arise Television, Cole lamented the deepening crisis, warning that it spells doom for the state’s economic prospects.
“I look forward to the day when Rivers State will be known for economic prosperity rather than political battles. Right now, what we are witnessing is sheer political power play, and at the end of the day, it is the people of Rivers who suffer the most,” Cole stated.
He further cautioned that the ongoing crisis would deter investors from bringing business into the state, compounding its economic woes.
“The governor being locked out is a loud and clear message that while he holds the title, real power has shifted elsewhere. This is unhealthy for governance and damages the image of Rivers State,” he added.
The ongoing crisis is the latest in a series of political conflicts that have rocked the state since Fubara took office, largely due to the strained relationship between him and his predecessor, Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Observers fear that unless urgent steps are taken to resolve the crisis, Rivers State may suffer prolonged political instability, further stalling governance and development efforts.
As the tension mounts, political analysts are calling for dialogue and reconciliation to restore stability and refocus leadership on governance rather than power tussles.
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Political Crisis in Rivers: Fubara Locked Out as Power Struggle Deepens