Barely three months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brokered peace between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his estranged political ally, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, tensions have resurfaced in Rivers State.
InfoStride News gathered that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, are preparing for another confrontation with the governor.
Background of the Crisis
The political conflict between Fubara and Wike erupted in late 2023, shortly after Fubara assumed office. The rift deepened in 2024 when the Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly joined the fray.
On December 11, 2023, 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, prompting Fubara-aligned lawmakers to declare their seats vacant on July 6, 2024.
The impasse persisted until May 18, 2025, when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending the governor, his deputy, and members of the House for six months.
Tinubu, however, reconciled the rival factions on July 27, 2025, during a meeting with Fubara, Wike and Amaewhule at the State House.
Tensions Resurface
Barely three months after the peace deal, signs of renewed hostility emerged on December 1, 2025, when Amaewhule publicly criticised Fubara’s administration, accusing it of neglecting public primary and secondary schools.
In a viral video, the Speaker described the situation as “a sad commentary,” alleging vandalised school facilities, absence of teachers, and overstretched staff.
16 Lawmakers Defect to APC
On December 5, 2025, Amaewhule and 15 other lawmakers formally dumped Governor Fubara’s PDP for the APC, signalling a fresh escalation.
Those who defected include:
- Dumle Maol (Deputy Speaker, Gokana)
- Major Jack (Akuku-Toru)
- Linda Stewart (Okrika)
- Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni)
- Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3)
- Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2)
- Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2)
- Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1)
- Aforji (Eleme)
- Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1)
- Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2)
- Peter Abbey (Degema)
- Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo)
- Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche)
- Ofiks Kabang (Andoni)
Assembly Challenges Fubara Over Commissioners’ List
Tensions intensified further after the Assembly queried the governor for failing to submit a list of commissioner-nominees for screening.
Following the lifting of the state of emergency in September 2025, lawmakers had asked Fubara to forward new nominees—after he dismissed commissioners earlier appointed during the crisis.
However, the governor has yet to comply, prompting a fresh standoff.
“This Is Not What Rivers Needs Now” – ADC Chairman
Reacting, Rivers ADC Chairman, Leader Sampson, warned politicians not to endanger the state for personal interests.
“This is obviously not what the state needs right now,” he told DAILY POST.
He argued that the earlier peace deal was driven by “selfish interests,” insisting lawmakers had been waiting for an excuse to reignite the crisis.
“Everyone is free to play politics but not to the detriment of the Rivers people,” he added.
“They’ve Left Fubara Behind” – PDP Chieftain
A PDP chieftain, Austin Okai, criticised the governor for allegedly losing the support of his allies.
According to him, “Wike’s train moved to the APC without carrying him along. He is now lonely; those that stood with him also abandoned him since he went back to his own vomit.”
The political atmosphere in Rivers State remains tense, with fears that the renewed hostilities could plunge the state into another prolonged crisis.
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