Within months, Rivers State went from being a political powerhouse to becoming what appears to be an “APC pawn state.”
The Rivers state crisis, which resulted from a political rivalry between the current governor and the former governor, who is now the FCT minister, once allies. This feud has caused significant instability in the state and turned it to a platform for political big guns to showcase power tussle.
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The feud resulting from Governor Fubara’s refusal to bow to Godfatherism, the same means through which he became governor.
Following this was a declaration of a state of emergency by President Tinubu after a number of impeachment attempts, pipeline vandalism and political brouhaha by the 27 wike-loyal law makers led by speaker Amaewhule. President Tinubu further announced the suspension of governor Fubara, along with his entire cabinet and appointees.
Following this was the appointment of a sole administrator in the person of Vice Admiral Ikot-Ete Ibas (rtd), also reported to be a close friend and ally of FCT minister , Wike. A move the people of Rivers state did not welcome as there were series of protests from different groups demanding a reinstatement of their governor.
Since the declaration of state of emergency and appointment of the sole administrator in March, Rivers state has consistently made headlines over its political instability while Fubara and Wike did not seize to take swings at each other amid the crisis.
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The FCT minister despite stating that he did not want Fubara suspended but completely removed however stated that he was not fighting Fubara but was rather fighting those who were advising the suspended governor.
In recent events, the senate approved a non-indigene to head the state’s electoral commission, another move that was rejected by residents.
Following with was a closed door meeting hosted by Tinubu which had the suspended governor, FCT minister and the suspended 27 law makers who had initially defected to the APC following a previous meeting with Wike in the UK.
While reports reveal that the meeting ended with a breakthrough, with a truce called by both parties and an agreement by Tinubu to reinstate the governor, concerns have been raised over the fact that this new found peace comes along with stringent conditions which should be viewed as a trap according to human rights activist Deji Adeyanju.
One of which the governor will not re-run for second tenure in 2027 and another stating that FCT minister will have major stakes in dictating who occupies what position in the state.
This points to the speculations that all of the afore mentioned incidents and political ongoings in the state were merely setting the grounds for what is to come. From all indication, the oil rich Rivers state may just be on its way to becoming an APC state where political big guns from the ruling APC call the shots.
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Similarly, some Fubara supporters have expressed displeasure over the conditions of the truce adding that it is not in the interest of the Rivers people but rather aimed at satisfying the ego of a select few.
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