The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has consolidated his control of the political structure in Rivers State, with the controls of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) structures.
Penpushing reports that this was glaring on Wednesday at the campaign launch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Port Harcourt and flag off of campaigns for local elections in the state, scheduled to hold August 30, 2025
The minister’s loyalists, including the chairman of the party in the state, Aeron Chukwuemeke, and the suspended Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, were seen praising Wike.
Penpushing further reports that Chukwuemeke while declaring open the event used the opportunity to thank Wike, a former governor of the state, who he described as their leader, who has made the flag off a success
“Let me use this opportunity to thank our leader, Wike, who has made this flag off today a success. Very importantly, we say thank you to our political leader, our father, Mr Wike, for the leadership he has provided for the PDP and the state’, Amaewhule.
Penpushing also reports that the suspended speaker flanked by the 26 other lawmakers, loyal to the minister, declared that Wike’s leadership has provided opportunities for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state
The suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists were, however, not featured at the event, except for a backdrop that carried Fubara’s picture, while the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state Tony Okocha, is Wike’s ally.
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that Wike, helped Fubara to become the Governor of the state in 2023, but both fell out less than five months after, resulting in political feud split of the legislature into two factions.
The political power tussle led to 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, with four in Fubara’s camp, while all efforts to reconcile them by the presidency was impossible, hence, both factions battled in the court over the legality of the pro-Wike lawmakers after they defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Penpushing further reports that amid the crisis, Fubara defied all odds and conducted local elections, taking over the control of the political structure at the grassroots after his allies were elected as councillors and chairmen of the 23 local councils in the state.
The Supreme Court, however, invalidated the elections, restored the pro-Wike lawmakers as legitimate lawmakers, invalidated the appropriation bill passed by Fubara-backed lawmakers, and stopped the federal government from releasing allocation to the state pending when Fubara would present a budget to the legitimate assembly.
Penpushing also reports that upon resuming legislative business after their restoration, the lawmakers served impeachment notice on Fubara and declined his request to present the 2025 budget, and in the wake of the crisis, an explosion blew up an oil pipeline in the state.
The President Bola Tinubu in March declared a state of emergency in the state citing the pipeline explosion and the prolonged Fubara-Wike feud, and subsequently suspended Fubara and the state legislature for an initial period of six months.
Penpushing reports that Tinubu, thereafter appointed, a retired vice admiral and former chief of naval staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator in the state, a move that triggered widespread criticisms from the public, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The sole administrator upon assuming office, dissolved boards, commissions, and parastatals constituted by Fubara and reconstituted a new one, while the newly reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, which was inaugurated last month, fixed August 30, 2025, less than two months’ interval for the local election.
Penpushing further reports that, displeased by the election schedule, some residents in the state have filed a suit, asking the court to determine if local elections can be conducted under emergency rule.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, despite protests from several quarters against the election, proceeded with the elections, with parties conducting primaries where councillors and chairmanship candidates were elected.
Penpushing also reports that as at the time of this report sources said the duo of Fubara and Wike have settled their political feud, but it is not clear if Fubara’s interest would be protected in the new political development in the state.
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