Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has attributed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State to a tussle over financial control between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Speaking in an interview with DW on Friday, Amaechi dismissed the dispute as a battle for wealth distribution rather than governance, questioning the silence of Nigerians on the issue.
“The fight between the current governor of Rivers State and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what’s the quarrel?” Amaechi queried. “Nigerians don’t dislike corruption again. I’ve not seen anybody on the street querying what the problem is. Can both of them speak to the public and tell us what the problem is about?”
His remarks follow President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, which led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly. Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator, citing political instability and pipeline vandalism as reasons for the drastic measure.
Amaechi condemned the decision, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent that could threaten the autonomy of governors who may not align with the federal government’s political interests. He described the situation as a power struggle between President Tinubu and Wike, with Governor Fubara caught in the crossfire.
“The president wants a power grab. They want to frighten governors who may not support them in 2027,” Amaechi alleged.
He further questioned the rationale behind the imposition of emergency rule, arguing that other regions facing severe security challenges have not been subjected to similar treatment.
“If the president said it is because of insecurity, because they blew the pipeline, what about parts of the country where there is insecurity? Is the president saying they should impose emergency rule on him too?” he asked.
Amaechi also stressed that security matters are under the jurisdiction of the president and not the governor, insisting that Fubara is being unfairly targeted.
“Rivers governor has no security responsibility; it rests squarely on the president. So why punish a man who did not commit an offence?” he added.
He urged Rivers residents to resist the emergency rule through peaceful democratic protests, warning that the decision undermines constitutional governance and poses a threat to the rule of law.
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