The political turmoil in Rivers State, which has kept the state and the nation at the edge of their seats, reached a dramatic climax on March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly. This development marks the latest chapter in a deepening crisis that began shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023.
The Genesis of the Crisis
Fubara’s political journey in Rivers State was an unexpected one. With no prior political experience, Fubara, a career finance professional, was handpicked by outgoing Governor Nyesom Wike as his successor in a move that defied conventional political dynamics. While Wike shouldered the entire burden of campaigning and ticket distribution, Fubara’s role was minimal. His success in the 2023 elections was largely thanks to Wike’s support, but as soon as Fubara took office, tensions began to brew over power-sharing and political control.
The Battle Over Power and Resources
The rift between Fubara and Wike became evident when Fubara began aligning with Wike’s political rivals, particularly those who had supported Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential elections. This triggered fears within Wike’s camp that Fubara was shifting allegiances, and suspicions mounted over the sharing of political appointments, particularly in the formation of Fubara’s cabinet.
The governor’s attempt to nominate a few of his own appointees for key positions sparked a fierce backlash from Wike’s loyalists. Tensions escalated, leading to a series of high-profile confrontations, including the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly building in October 2023. The destruction of the legislative complex was a turning point, signaling that the conflict between the two leaders had reached dangerous levels.
The War of Words and Political Defections
By late 2023, the feud was at its peak. Fubara’s loyalists began defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the political landscape in Rivers was rapidly shifting. The state assembly was divided into two factions: one loyal to Fubara and another to Wike. The two factions clashed in a series of dramatic political maneuvers, with each side working to undermine the other.
In an attempt to consolidate power, Fubara pushed through a local government election in October 2024, using the courts to sweep out Wike’s loyalists in the local councils. This move further strained relations between the two leaders, with Wike’s supporters accusing Fubara of using the judiciary to solidify his grip on power.
Legal Battles and the Supreme Court’s Intervention
The legal battle between Fubara and Wike intensified, with each side seeking favorable rulings from the courts. Fubara’s camp found success in the state courts, winning critical cases that allowed the governor to continue functioning despite the opposition from Wike’s loyalists. However, Wike’s camp found victories in Abuja, especially in cases that challenged the legitimacy of Fubara’s actions and the defection of lawmakers.
The final showdown came on February 18, 2025, when the Supreme Court delivered a ruling that went against Fubara in all four cases it heard. The judgment ordered the suspension of state allocations, the presentation of a new 2025 budget to a four-man house of assembly, and a re-evaluation of the defection of 27 lawmakers. This ruling was seen as a significant victory for Wike and his faction, further destabilizing Fubara’s hold on power.
The State of Emergency
The final blow came less than a month after the Supreme Court’s ruling. On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu, citing the deepening political crisis and the collapse of governance in the state, declared a state of emergency. The proclamation suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state assembly, effectively putting an end to the political deadlock in Rivers, at least temporarily.
This move was welcomed by some, who saw it as necessary to restore peace and governance to the state, but it also raised concerns about the undermining of democratic processes. The suspension of elected officials and the imposition of a state of emergency in a state as politically significant as Rivers has sparked nationwide debate about the future of Nigerian democracy.
Conclusion
The political crisis in Rivers State has been a tale of power struggles, political defections, legal battles, and ultimately, state intervention. The rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike has shaken the political foundation of the state, with both men refusing to back down in the face of mounting tensions. The declaration of a state of emergency marks a temporary resolution to the conflict, but it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming months.
As the dust settles, the question remains: will the political landscape of Rivers State ever return to normal, or is this the beginning of a new era of political instability in the state? For now, the fate of Fubara and Wike lies in the hands of the federal government, as the state enters an uncertain phase under a temporary administrator.
