In the turbulent world of Rivers State politics, few rivalries have captured public attention like the escalating feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Minister Nyesom Wike.
What began as a political arrangement to install a “cool-headed” governor has since devolved into a bitter struggle marked by power plays, legal battles, and internal party realignments.
This article delves into how the war between Wike and Fubara began, examining the key events, political maneuvers, and judicial decisions that have shaped this saga.
The Unlikely Political Partnership
Before the 2023 general elections, the name Siminalayi Fubara was rarely mentioned in the political history of Rivers State. Known primarily for his career in the finance sector, Fubara was thrust into the political limelight when then-Governor Nyesom Wike, in search of a calm and stable leadership figure, chose him as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor.
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In a move that surprised many political observers, Wike assumed almost complete responsibility for the gubernatorial campaign.
The former minister managed the campaign’s finances and strategic decisions, while Fubara remained largely in the background, not spending his own funds or actively canvassing.
This arrangement initially appeared to be a masterstroke—a way to install a governor with an image of neutrality and fiscal responsibility. However, the alliance was built on uneasy terms.
Fubara’s silent role during the campaign meant that, once elected, he had little experience in the rough-and-tumble of active politics. His sudden rise to power created an imbalance that would later provide fertile ground for conflict.
The Genesis of the Rift
Shortly after Fubara was sworn in as governor, cracks began to appear in the political foundation laid by Wike. By August 2023, differences over financial management and the distribution of political power had intensified.
While some analysts attributed Wike’s growing displeasure to Fubara’s perceived abandonment of the former governor’s political structure, the more pressing issue was the sharing formula of political appointments.
Fubara soon began to align himself with figures once considered loyal to Wike. He welcomed back political rivals—supporters of PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar—whom Wike had previously exiled to Abuja.
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This unexpected pivot created mutual suspicion between the two leaders. Wike’s insistence on retaining control over key political appointments clashed with Fubara’s desire to establish his own cabinet, leading to a bitter standoff. While Wike’s loyalists initially controlled the appointment of the state commissioners, Fubara’s limited nomination rights only deepened the divide.
A major flashpoint came when Fubara forwarded two nominees for screening to the House of Assembly, under the supervision of Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule as Speaker. Wike, alerted to this development, reacted swiftly.
According to sources close to both camps, heated verbal exchanges erupted, marking the true beginning of an all-out political war.
Cabinet Crisis and the Erosion of Trust
The disagreement over cabinet appointments proved to be more than just a clash of personalities. It symbolized a broader struggle for control over Rivers State’s political destiny.
Wike’s former allies, who had long been the backbone of his political structure, began to withdraw their support. Frustrated by what he described as a “usurpation” of his legacy, Fubara found himself increasingly isolated.
Reports emerged that some commissioners refused to respect the governor, while financial control became so constrained that no expenditure beyond N30 million could be approved without further authorization from Abuja.
Amid these tensions, Fubara reportedly considered resignation—a move that would have sent shockwaves through the state’s political community. Despite several late-night meetings aimed at defusing the situation, the rift widened, and the feud deepened into a full-blown crisis.
The Darkening of the Political Landscape
The political atmosphere in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on October 29, 2023, when dynamite was discovered at the Dome edifice of the House of Assembly on Moscow Road. The following day, the structure was demolished under the pretext of “structural defects.”
However, intelligence reports suggested that Fubara had been forewarned of a potential impeachment plot against him. In response, the governor mobilized his forces early that morning to oversee the demolition—a symbolic act that underscored the breakdown of trust and the lengths to which both sides were willing to go.
In an attempt to mediate the escalating conflict, President Bola Tinubu reached out to both Wike and Fubara for a possible truce. Despite the President’s intervention, the situation failed to de-escalate. The power struggle only intensified, and Fubara’s cabinet suffered further as loyal commissioners defected en masse. In a strategic maneuver, Fubara replaced Speaker Martins Amaewhule with Rt. Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo, and even reshuffled his own administrative team by appointing Dr. Edison Ehie as his Chief of Staff.
This move was designed to seal off leaks of sensitive government information, yet it further polarized the political landscape.
Realignments and the Local Government Elections
As the feud raged on, political loyalties began to shift. In a bid to consolidate power, Fubara, through the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), organized local government elections on October 5, 2024.
The timing of the elections was no coincidence. Confronted with an injunction against the PDP, the governor was unable to field PDP candidates.
Instead, he strategically maneuvered his loyalists into the Action People’s Party (APP), capturing all 23 local government councils. This tactical move not only consolidated his support base but also further infuriated Wike and his followers.
The local government elections served as a litmus test for the strength of Fubara’s political network. While the move was hailed by his supporters as a masterstroke of political engineering, it also heightened the stakes of an already bitter feud, setting the stage for even more aggressive confrontations in the months ahead.
Judicial Battles and the Role of the Courts
As the political conflict extended beyond the corridors of power, it increasingly found its way into the judiciary. Courts in Rivers State and Abuja became battlegrounds where each side sought legal victories.
Interestingly, the state courts consistently sided with Fubara, endorsing his right to present the 2024 budget to a pared-down House of Assembly and authorizing government expenditures aimed at benefiting the people of Rivers. Conversely, in Abuja, Wike’s legal team appeared to secure victories, lending him confidence that the Supreme Court would eventually rule in his favor.
This judicial tug-of-war culminated on February 18, 2025, when the Supreme Court delivered a series of judgments that dealt a significant blow to Fubara. In consolidated cases, the Apex Court ruled against the governor on multiple fronts—stopping state allocations and ordering him to re-present the 2025 budget before Speaker Amaewhule.
Perhaps most controversially, the defection of 27 lawmakers—who had not been previously subjected to court scrutiny—was incorporated into the certified true copy of the judgment. Legal experts and commentators alike condemned this move, questioning whether the ruling was an independent judgment or a political maneuver designed to appease influential factions.
The State of Emergency and Final Nail in the Coffin
The fallout from the Supreme Court’s judgment was swift and severe. Energized by the legal victory, the 27 defecting lawmakers issued an ultimatum to Governor Fubara, demanding the presentation of the state budget and a reshuffle of commissioners.
Within days, the House of Assembly served both the governor and his deputy with letters of gross misconduct. The political environment grew increasingly volatile, with additional investigations being launched into alleged irregularities—including claims of age falsification by the state’s Chief Judge.
The ultimate turning point came on Tuesday, March 18, when President Bola Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State. The proclamation suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly, effectively halting the relentless political conflict—for the time being. While the state of emergency may be temporary, it signaled the end of an era of unchecked political hostilities and the beginning of a new phase in the governance of Rivers State.
Reflections on a Prolonged Political Battle
The Wike/Fubara feud offers a window into the complexities of Nigerian politics, where alliances are often transient and power is a commodity fiercely contested. At its heart, the conflict was sparked by the initial political gamble that saw a finance expert unexpectedly ascend to the governorship, only to find himself embroiled in a power struggle with a seasoned political operator.
The ensuing battle has seen shifting allegiances, strategic cabinet reshuffles, and contentious judicial interventions—all of which underscore the intricate interplay between political ambition and institutional power.
For political observers and the electorate alike, the feud raises important questions about accountability, transparency, and the future direction of Rivers State governance. The saga serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of internal party divisions and the potentially destructive consequences when personal ambitions override the collective good.
