WHO TRULY RULES RIVERS STATE? A TALE OF POWER, INFLUENCE, AND POLITICAL TENSIONS BY Adeola Shittu

WHO TRULY RULES RIVERS STATE? A TALE OF POWER, INFLUENCE, AND POLITICAL TENSIONS By Adeola Shittu 

Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic and economically significant states, has long been a battleground for power struggles. With its vast oil wealth and critical role in national politics, the state has seen intense political maneuvering between past and present leaders. Today, while Governor Siminalayi Fubara holds the official reins of government, former Governor Nyesom Wike continues to wield immense influence. This raises a critical question: who really rules Rivers State?

The Governor vs. The Political Godfather

Siminalayi Fubara, who assumed office as the 7th democratic governor of Rivers State on May 29, 2023, was expected to lead the state independently. However, his tenure has been marked by a power struggle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. As a former governor known for his political dominance, Wike has maintained control over the state's political structure even after leaving office. His appointment as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has only strengthened his ability to shape political events in Rivers State.

Wike’s enduring influence is not unusual in Nigerian politics, where former governors often position themselves as political kingmakers. His control over party structures, lawmakers, and political alliances has kept him at the center of decision-making, leaving Fubara struggling to assert full authority.

Political Tensions and the Battle for Control

The power struggle between Fubara and Wike reached a boiling point in late 2023 and early 2024. Disagreements over governance, appointments, and political loyalty led to a major fallout between the two, triggering a wave of political instability in the state. This rift has resulted in multiple public confrontations, resignations of government officials, and a growing divide within the political class.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently intervened, calling for peace and adherence to the rule of law to prevent further instability in Rivers State. His appeal highlights the severity of the political crisis and the potential impact on the state's development. However, despite these calls for calm, the struggle for dominance remains unresolved.

Judicial and Legislative Chaos: Supreme Court Ruling and Assembly Paralysis

The recent Supreme Court judgment has further complicated the Rivers State political crisis. On February 28, 2025, the apex court reinstated the Martin Amaewhule-led leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court found no evidence that 27 lawmakers had defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as claimed by Governor Fubara. Consequently, the court ordered the restoration of the Assembly's leadership and directed Governor Fubara to re-present the 2025 budget to the reinstated lawmakers. Additionally, the Supreme Court ruled that federal allocations to Rivers State should be withheld until a lawful Appropriation Law is passed by the duly constituted Assembly.

In response, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, abruptly adjourned its sittings indefinitely on March 14, 2025. This move, which came just after Governor Fubara expressed his intent to present the 2025 budget, has effectively stalled governance and financial planning in the state.

Adding to the controversy, an 11-member Independent Judicial Accountability Panel, which includes three retired justices, criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling. On March 14, 2025, the panel stated that the judgment failed to clarify whether the 27 lawmakers had indeed defected, leaving ambiguity in the interpretation of legislative legitimacy. The panel also expressed concerns about the ruling’s impact on governance and the constitutional balance of power in Rivers State.

The Consequences for Rivers State

The combination of political infighting, judicial decisions, and legislative paralysis has placed Rivers State in a precarious situation. The indefinite suspension of Assembly sittings prevents the passage of essential laws, including the state budget, which is crucial for funding public services, infrastructure, and development projects.

Additionally, the Supreme Court’s order to withhold federal allocations raises serious concerns about the financial stability of the state. Without these funds, governance may come to a standstill, affecting salaries, public projects, and social welfare programs.

More broadly, the continued influence of political godfathers like Wike in the governance of Rivers State raises concerns about democratic accountability. When an elected governor struggles to exercise independent authority, governance suffers, and citizens bear the consequences.

The Way Forward: Who Will Truly Rule?

For Rivers State to move forward, a clear distinction must be made between leadership and political mentorship. Governor Fubara must assert his authority and ensure that governance is not overshadowed by external influences. At the same time, Wike and other political actors must prioritize the state’s development over personal or party interests.

The people of Rivers State also have a role to play. Active civic engagement, demand for accountability, and resistance to political manipulation are essential for ensuring that governance serves the people rather than a select group of elites.

Ultimately, the true ruler of Rivers State should not be a single individual or a political godfather but a system that upholds democracy, good governance, and the welfare of the people. Until this balance is achieved, the question of “who truly rules Rivers State?” will remain an open and contentious debate.