A Political analyst, Mahmud Jega, has warned that the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the lingering political crisis between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may deepen rather than resolve the conflict.
Jega expressed the view on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television, where he faulted what he described as the President’s posture in the unfolding power struggle in the oil-rich state.
According to him, recognising Wike as the undisputed political leader of Rivers State contradicts the internal structure and constitution of the All Progressives Congress, which places governors as party leaders in their respective states.
He noted that the APC’s National Chairman and National Secretary had recently reiterated that sitting governors automatically assume leadership of the party in their states, questioning the rationale behind elevating Wike, who is not a member of the ruling party.
Jega argued that the development sends conflicting signals, especially given earlier remarks by APC officials urging Wike to either formally join the party or refrain from interfering in its affairs.
He further suggested that the President’s stance could be interpreted as tacit approval of Wike’s continued influence within the Peoples Democratic Party, allegedly to weaken it ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the analyst, such an approach does not amount to genuine conflict resolution but rather empowers Wike to retain political dominance across party lines in Rivers State.
“This does not look like an effort to resolve the crisis,” Jega said, adding that allowing one individual to wield influence simultaneously within the APC and PDP was unprecedented in Nigeria’s political history.
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The political rift between Fubara and Wike has continued to generate tension in Rivers State, with analysts warning that prolonged instability could affect governance in the state.
