Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has reclaimed dominance over the state’s political structure following Saturday’s local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The polls, held across the 23 local government areas, came months after the Supreme Court nullified the controversial October 4, 2024, election in which Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalists, running under the Action Peoples Party (APP), had secured 22 chairmanship seats.
In a unanimous judgment on February 28, 2025, the apex court voided that exercise, ruling that RSIEC had been barred from conducting the election until the state’s voter register was updated.
Tinubu’s Intervention and Wike-Fubara Truce
The fierce power tussle between Wike and his estranged political protégé, Fubara, plunged Rivers into crisis last year. The tension prompted President Bola Tinubu to suspend Governor Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers for six months in March 2025, declaring a state of emergency to restore order.
Tinubu later reconciled both leaders in a meeting at the State House, where an agreement was reportedly sealed—part of which paved the way for Wike’s allies to retake control of the grassroots.
Wike’s Camp Sweeps Through
Ahead of Saturday’s polls, Wike’s loyalists, many of them ex-PDP stalwarts, defected to the Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress (APC) and secured tickets. Analysts say the move positions Wike to strengthen his grip on both the PDP and APC ahead of 2027.
In 20 LGAs, Wike’s men contested on the APC platform, while in Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt, and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, they ran under the PDP. Although official results were yet to be declared at press time, indications suggest a clean sweep for the FCT Minister’s camp.
Fubara Camp Boycotts Exercise
Governor Fubara—still under suspension until September 18—was absent from the state during the election. His close allies, including Chief of Staff Edison Ehie and SSG Tammy Danagogo, also stayed away, alongside the 23 former chairmen removed by the Supreme Court.
One loyalist, speaking anonymously, said there was “no need to participate” since “the winners were already decided.” He added that Fubara was abroad and had chosen to “sacrifice everything, including his seat, for peace.”
Low Turnout, Allegations of Pre-Determined Results
The elections were marked by apathy, with sparse crowds at polling units. At some centres, voters alleged ballot papers were thumb-printed in favour of APC candidates.
“Whether you vote or not, the results they wrote will be announced,” lamented Grace Agba, a resident of Port Harcourt. “This is pure selection, not an election.”
Despite the controversy, the exercise effectively restored Wike’s control of Political struction.
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