Wike Yet to Tell Fubara Real Reason for Hostilities – Fubara Aide

The political discord between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has continued to fester, with no clear resolution in sight. The conflict, which began in late 2023, has intensified to the point where President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. This move resulted in the suspension of Governor Fubara and members of the state’s House of Assembly.

Amidst the crisis, the former Minister of Transport and ex-governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi, suggested in a recent interview with DW that the rift between Wike and Fubara stemmed from disagreements over financial allocations. However, Amaechi was critical of the emergency rule imposed by the president, describing it as an unconstitutional decision that undermines democratic governance in the state.

Fubara’s Aide Speaks Out

Speaking to The Opitangloba Media on Sunday, the Special Assistant to the suspended governor on Electronic Media, Jerry Omotsegunwa, stated that Governor Fubara remains unaware of the actual cause of Wike’s grievances. Omotsegunwa emphasized that while Amaechi has the right to his opinion, Wike has yet to provide any official explanation for his hostility toward his successor.

“As it stands right now, I will not dispute Amaechi’s position even though he has the right to his own opinion. This crisis has dragged on for almost two years now, and nobody has told us what the actual problem is,” Omotsegunwa noted.

He further stressed that neither Wike nor Fubara has publicly articulated the reasons behind their ongoing conflict, adding that even when the issue of impeachment was raised against the governor, no substantial allegations were made against him.

Unanswered Questions and Political Speculations

Despite the escalating political crisis, questions remain unanswered regarding the true cause of the rift between Wike and Fubara. The crisis has created divisions within the political landscape of Rivers State, with various factions speculating on the underlying issues at play.

Omotsegunwa highlighted that Governor Fubara had previously asked, “What is my offence?” when confronted with impeachment threats. He also recalled that Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), claimed that Fubara attempted to dismantle his political structure.

“These matters put together, we’ve not been able to decipher the real cause of the crisis,” Omotsegunwa remarked, pointing out the need for clarity from Wike himself.

Amaechi’s Perspective and Criticism of Emergency Rule

Rotimi Amaechi’s comments regarding the alleged financial dispute between Wike and Fubara have sparked fresh debates. While he suggested that money sharing was at the core of the rift, he also condemned the federal government’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State.

According to Amaechi, the declaration of emergency rule sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing the federal government to override elected state officials arbitrarily. He insisted that any crisis should be resolved through democratic processes rather than federal intervention.

Wike’s Silence and Political Implications

As tensions persist, Wike has remained largely silent on the matter. When contacted for a response, his media aide, Lere Olayinka, declined to comment. This silence has only fueled further speculation about the true motivations behind the conflict.

Political analysts argue that Wike’s unwillingness to clarify his grievances could indicate deeper political maneuvering aimed at maintaining influence over Rivers State. Meanwhile, Fubara’s supporters continue to demand transparency, urging the former governor to reveal the real reasons behind the hostility.

Until Wike addresses the matter directly, the crisis in Rivers State remains unresolved, leaving both political observers and the public in suspense over what the future holds for the state’s leadership.