A fresh political dispute is brewing between the camps of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed the conflict. They stated that the rift arises from unresolved elements of a peace deal. President Bola Tinubu had brokered this agreement several months ago.

The core disagreement reportedly centers on how a new state cabinet will be formed.

President Tinubu intervened previously to settle a protracted political crisis. This crisis had engulfed Rivers State and even led to a six-month state of emergency. However, months after this truce, the underlying issues fueling the rift persist. The political animosity between the two factions shows little sign of easing.

Governor Fubara, following his reinstatement in September, had retained eight commissioners. These officials were unaffected by a Supreme Court ruling. That judgment recognized Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Assembly.

Earlier, the governor had dissolved his entire cabinet. This action occurred after the emergency rule ended, paving the way for a new executive council.

Despite several meetings between Governor Fubara and lawmakers, no consensus has been reached. This is regarding the list of commissioner nominees.

Allegations of Wike’s Influence

Insiders suggest that lawmakers plan to reject certain nominees. They aim to block any commissioner not aligned with the Wike camp. This is reportedly an effort to maintain influence over the state’s political structure.

A top Peoples Democratic Party official spoke to a publication. He alleged that the FCT Minister seeks control over a significant portion of the cabinet. The official claimed Minister Wike was demanding up to 12 commissioner slots.

“If you want 12 commissioners, what will the governor have left?” the source queried. “Asking for three, four, or even five commissioners is understandable. But 12 is excessive. This is especially true after taking over all 23 Local Government Areas. Commissioners work closely with the governor. He must be comfortable with those appointments.”

Wike’s Ally Dismisses Claims

However, Chimelem Wodi, a prominent PDP stakeholder and Wike ally, dismissed these claims. He described them as the handiwork of “political jobbers.” Wodi suggested these individuals spread false information to remain relevant.

Wodi, who serves as legal adviser to the Federal Commissioner to the President on Christian Pilgrimage (South-South zone), stated that Wike is “bigger than that.”

He highlighted Wike’s extensive political career. Wodi noted Wike’s past roles as a local government chairman, National Chairman of ALGON, former governor, and now minister. He argued Wike would not be seeking commissioner slots.

The PDP stakeholder suggested Governor Fubara has not fully accepted having a political godfather. He maintained that President Tinubu had already resolved the Rivers political issue.

According to Wodi, those propagating this narrative are political jobbers. They resurfaced after months of irrelevance during the state of emergency.

He insisted that if such demands existed, stakeholders would have known. Wike, he added, is not known for hiding agreements.

Wodi cautioned that these rumours could inflame the political climate. He stressed that the FCT Minister has remained silent because the matter has already been settled. “This is not what the FCT minister is known for,” he concluded.