January 04, (THEWILL) — The two warring parties in Rivers State led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike ended the outgone year 2025 with their separate agendas for 2026, thus shredding the peace process they publicly acknowledged as an end to their earlier supremacy battle that crippled the peace of the state and led to a six-month proclamation of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2024. Both Fubara and Wike have taken turns to launch attacks at each other since the governor formally defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on December 9, 2025.
While delivering his New Year message, Governor Fubara disclosed there was rising political tension in the state and assured the people of the state that his administration would remain focused on serving them rather than paying attention to distractions caused by political jobbers.
Fubara called on Rivers people to shut their ears to what he described as “political noise and intimidation” in the state. Quoting copiously from the Bible, Fubara tasked the citizens to listen for the “still small voice” of God rather than the drums of war being beaten by political distractors in the state.
“We do not have the instrument of war; the only thing we have is our knees and we will continue to pray to God. Do not be troubled by the sounds of war you are hearing,” Mr Fubara said, adding that the turbulence and internal challenges that slowed the pace of development in the past two years would be by paying attention to divine inspiration that saw the state through “the storm,” of the past years.
He reaffirmed his commitment to “peace and political maturity” in Rivers State, dialogue, mutual understanding and respect rather than coercion and threats preferred by enemies of the state that may end up sabotaging their support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Earlier on that day, Wike accused the governor of breaching the agreement they both entered before President Tinubu, threatening to expose details of the agreement publicly. “After agreeing on something, you renege. And you think you are a smart politician? You are clever by half,” Wike said.
Then, during a “thank you visit” to the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State at the weekend, Wike fired another salvo at the governor. He said there would be no second chance for Fubara, accusing him of failing to provide effective leadership. The minister said that any leader who is incapable of maintaining a working relationship with local government chairmen, members of the state House of Assembly and other critical stakeholders lacks the capacity to govern effectively.
He said, “Money cannot solve this problem the governor has started. Tell the Rivers people what was discussed with the President. If you succeed with the first one that was resolved, you will not succeed with the second one. There cannot be two captains in one ship. So, whoever is assuring you that when you shout on your mandate that all is well, then you are wrong. “Someone who cannot relate with local government chairmen, state assembly members, National Assembly members, and other stakeholders cannot provide good leadership.”
Taking a cue from Wike, associates of the minister, began distancing themselves from the governor on Friday. Dr Nname Ewor, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, dissolved his faction into the Aaron Chukwemeka-led committee, supported by Wike. Ewor, formerly loyal to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, announced the dissolution during Wike’s “thank you” visit to Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Area (LGA) on Friday.
“Today, I am handing over the chairmanship and leadership of my faction to Aaron Chukwemeka-led caretaker committee. PDP is no longer factionalised in Rivers,” Ewor said, hailing Wike’s leadership.
He explained he left the Fubara camp because the governor could not be trusted. Ewor alleged that President Bola Tinubu mediated twice to resolve the political crisis in the state, but Fubara failed to keep agreements. “If the President mediated twice, that means you cannot be trusted. Can such a leader be trusted? We can’t trust him,” Ewor added, refuting claims that Wike intimidated his leadership.
Earlier, ONELGA Local Government Chairman, Mr Chukwu Ogbogu, thanked Wike for development interventions and personal support during his tenure as governor, noting that many locals benefitted from state and federal appointments. Mrs Nkemjika Ezekwe (ONELGA II State Constituency), described Wike as a “women empowerment advocate”.
Ezekwe explained that Wike gave Rivers women voice and financial independence, pledging solidarity behind the minister. Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, lauded Wike as a “divine project” and commended his bridge-building efforts across Rivers State. Wike, in his remarks, lauded the ONELGA people for their unity and strength, describing the LGA as a “no-go area” for Fubara supporters, emphasising support for Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Family initiative.
“We are not talking about party politics in Rivers, but Renewed Hope Family for Tinubu and we would do all we can to give him the needed support,” he said.
The strained relationship between the governor and the Speaker Martins Amaewhule-led StateHouse of Assembly, went down the hill last week when the lawmakers rejected the N100,000 Christmas bonus paid to their accounts by the government. They claimed the money was not budgeted for. But in reality, they rejected the money as part of the ongoing hostility between Wike’s camp which they belong to and Fubara’s camp.
Fubara has however resolved to concentrate on governance in order to recover lost grounds. He made this pledge during the swearing in of five new special advisers at Government House in Port Harcourt. Those sworn in are Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Professor Peter Medee, Emmanuel Frank Fubara, Victor Ekaro and Darlington Orji. The event came on the heels of a minor cabinet reshuffle carried out by the governor which saw the redeployment of the Commissioner for Sports, Barr. Christopher Green, to the Ministry of Justice as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Interestingly, the governor got a boost from the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Netanwe Yiltwada on Saturday stated that the governor is the leader of the party in the state.
“In all the states, we have the state governors who lead the party in their respective state. At the same time, we tell the governors who have leaders at the national level to respect inclusion.” He added that APC will support and work for the governor’s re-election if emerges as the party’s candidate through the primary process.
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