The political turmoil in Rivers State has taken a fresh turn as former Governor Rotimi Amaechi alleged that the ongoing feud between the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, centers on the sharing of state funds.
Amaechi made the explosive claim during an interview with DW Africa on Saturday, reigniting debates about the root cause of the crisis that has destabilized the oil-rich state.
The fight between the current governor and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what is the quarrel?” Amaechi stated, suggesting that financial disputes, rather than ideological differences, fuel the conflict. He further criticized President Bola Tinubu’s intervention, which saw Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected lawmakers suspended for six months following a state of emergency declaration last week. Amaechi called the move unconstitutional, arguing it threatens democracy in Rivers State.
The rift between Wike and Fubara, once political allies, erupted shortly after Fubara’s inauguration in 2023, escalating into a power struggle that has paralyzed governance. The crisis deepened with incidents of violence, including explosions and the vandalism of petroleum pipelines, prompting Tinubu’s drastic measures. Amaechi, who governed Rivers from 2007 to 2015, urged residents to resist the emergency rule and demand clarity from the feuding parties. “Nigerians don’t dislike corruption anymore. I’ve not seen anybody on the street querying what the problem is,” he added, lamenting public apathy.
Wike, a key figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before his appointment as FCT minister, has faced accusations of orchestrating instability to maintain control over Rivers’ political machinery. Fubara, backed by some local groups like the Ijaw National Congress, has struggled to assert authority amid resistance from pro-Wike lawmakers. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling suspending federal allocations until a legitimate budget is passed has further tightened the financial noose around Fubara’s administration.
Analysts warn that the crisis could disrupt Nigeria’s oil production, given Rivers’ strategic importance. Amaechi’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions, with some residents calling for transparency, while others see it as a political jab from a former rival of Wike. As tensions simmer, the people of Rivers State remain caught in a battle that, according to Amaechi, is less about governance and more about greed. With no resolution in sight, the state braces for more uncertainty under emergency rule.