Fubara–Wike Power Tussle, and Immediate Solutions – Otunba Babatunde Olushola Senbanjo

The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State represents one of the most troubling power struggles in Nigeria’s contemporary democratic history. What should ordinarily be a peaceful transition from one administration to another has degenerated into a prolonged battle for control, loyalty, and supremacy between the sitting Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his political benefactor and predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike. This crisis is not merely a clash of personalities; it is a reflection of a deeper structural problem in Nigeria’s politics god-fatherism, abuse of power, and the subordination of governance to personal political interests.

Rivers State is too strategic, too economically important, and too politically influential to be held hostage by elite power tussles. As the hub of the Niger Delta, a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas revenue, and home to millions of citizens with legitimate expectations of good governance, Rivers State deserves stability, development, and visionary leadership not endless political warfare.

Understanding the Roots of the Crisis

At the heart of the Rivers crisis lies the unresolved contradiction between political sponsorship and constitutional authority. Governor Fubara emerged through the political structure built by Nyesom Wike, but once sworn in, the Nigerian Constitution vests executive power solely in the elected governor not in any former office holder, no matter how influential. The failure to respect this clear constitutional boundary is the original sin of the current crisis.

Rather than allowing the governor to govern, forces loyal to the former governor have sought to retain control of the state’s political machinery, legislature, and key institutions. This has manifested in:

The polarisation of the Rivers State House of Assembly

Attempts to impeach or weaken the governor through legislative and political pressure

Open confrontation between state and federal-aligned political forces

Administrative paralysis and tension across government institutions

This situation has reduced governance to a secondary concern, while political survival and dominance take centre stage.

The Cost to the People of Rivers State

The greatest victims of this power struggle are not the political actors but the ordinary people of Rivers State. While political elites fight over control, critical issues remain unattended:

Infrastructure development slows or stalls

Youth unemployment and restiveness deepen

Investors become wary of political instability

Civil servants work under uncertainty and fear

Public confidence in democratic institutions erodes

A government distracted by internal warfare cannot effectively tackle poverty, insecurity, environmental degradation, or economic growth. Rivers State risks losing valuable years to political infighting if this crisis is not urgently resolved.

A Strong Critique of God-fatherism

The Rivers crisis once again exposes the destructive nature of godfatherism in Nigerian politics. Political mentorship should never translate into lifelong ownership of public office holders. Democracy demands accountability to the people, not to political patrons.

Once elections are won and oaths of office are taken, loyalty must shift from individuals to the constitution and the electorate. Any attempt by former office holders to rule by proxy is a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law.

Equally, political godsons must understand that gratitude does not require surrendering constitutional authority. Respect is mutual, but leadership cannot be shared informally without undermining governance.

The Role of the Federal Government and Political Parties

The Federal Government and the leadership of the ruling party bear moral and political responsibility for allowing this crisis to fester. Silence, selective intervention, or partisan alignment only embolden impunity.

Political parties must learn to manage internal disputes through dialogue, discipline, and respect for constitutional roles. Allowing powerful individuals to override party structures and state institutions sets a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.

Immediate and Practical Solutions

To restore stability and refocus governance in Rivers State, the following immediate steps are necessary:

1. Respect for Constitutional Authority;
All parties must publicly and practically acknowledge that the Governor of Rivers State is the chief executive of the state. No parallel authority or informal power centre should exist.

2. Independent Mediation;
Neutral national figures respected elders, former leaders, and statesmen without vested interests, who should mediate the conflict. This mediation must prioritise peace, not political advantage.

3. Legislative Normalisation;
The Rivers State House of Assembly must be allowed to function independently, without coercion or manipulation. Lawmakers should represent their constituencies, not external political masters.

4. Clear Political Boundaries;
Former office holders should step back from day-to-day state politics and allow current leaders to govern. Advisory roles must never become instruments of control.

5. Judicial Neutrality and Speed;
Courts should handle all related cases with urgency, transparency, and impartiality to prevent prolonged uncertainty.

6. People-Centred Governance Agenda; Governor Fubara must aggressively refocus on governance development projects, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and social services to regain public trust and shift attention away from political drama.

7. Civic and Civil Society Pressure;
Traditional rulers, civil society groups, religious leaders, and the media must continue to speak out against the hijacking of governance for personal battles.

A Final Word

Rivers State does not belong to any individual, political camp, or godfather. It belongs to the people. Power is transient, but the consequences of misuse endure.

History will judge all actors in this crisis not by how much power they wielded, but by whether they chose peace over pride, institutions over individuals, and development over dominance.

This crisis can still become a turning point: a moment when Rivers State rejects politics of control and embraces politics of service. But that choice must be made now urgently, sincerely, and in good faith.

The future of Rivers State, and indeed Nigeria’s democracy, depends on it.