The Rivers State political crisis has drawn national attention, with former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, actively working behind the scenes to broker peace with suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This was revealed by Tony Okocha, Chairman of the Rivers APC, during a press briefing in Abuja. Contrary to speculations, Okocha emphasized that Wike was not fueling the crisis but instead trying to stabilize the situation.
The crisis escalated when President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency on March 18, 2025, citing political instability and security concerns. Reports indicated that militants were vandalizing pipelines without intervention from the state government.
In response, the President appointed Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as the Administrator to manage the state during this period.Okocha stated that before the emergency declaration, Rivers was on the brink of political anarchy, with governance at a standstill.
He criticized Fubara for sidelining 27 lawmakers and working with only three, withholding funds from the State Assembly, and demolishing the assembly complex under the pretext of renovation. He described these actions as a threat to democracy and lawlessness.
The APC chairman also highlighted that the Supreme Court ruling prior to the declaration affirmed that Rivers had no functional government at the time. He welcomed the PDP’s legal challenge of the emergency, stating that it would help strengthen Nigeria’s legal system.
He maintained that Tinubu’s intervention was a necessary evil to restore order.With the state of emergency in place, Okocha noted that security has improved, allowing opposition members like himself to move freely. He expressed optimism that normalcy would return to Rivers, paving the way for a more stable political environment.
