Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has accused local government chairmen of unfairly insulting him, claiming he's the only governor facing such abuse in Nigeria amid an intensifying political feud.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has leveled an explosive allegation – that he is the sole governor across Nigeria being subjected to insults and abuse from local government area chairmen.
The claim, which Fubara made on Monday while swearing in the new state attorney general, has ratcheted up his simmering feud with his predecessor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. The two political heavyweights from the ruling People's Democratic Party have been engaged in an increasingly acrimonious tussle over control of the state's political machinery.
"I am the only governor in the whole federation where local government chairmen will come and abuse me, and I take it, but I wish them well," Fubara stated, though he did not provide specific examples of the alleged insults.
However, his comments appeared to be referencing recent incendiary remarks made by Samuel Nwanosike, an ally of Wike who chairs the Ikwerre local government area. In a viral video in January, Nwanosike described Fubara as a "foolish and naive governor...he's not a mumu governor but a foolish governor."
Fubara also responded to criticism from Alabo George-Kelly, his former works commissioner, who mocked the governor on Sunday by saying he would have been just a mid-level civil servant without Wike's backing to ascend to powerful positions like permanent secretary and accountant-general before becoming governor.
The back-and-forth marks a new low in the rapidly deteriorating relationship between the former political allies. Just a day earlier, Wike publicly apologized to Rivers residents for mistakenly choosing Fubara as his successor and vowed to "correct the mistake at the appropriate time."
Fubara fired back on Monday: "I wish them well because even if it is a mistake, by the special grace of God, I am here today. God does not make mistakes. And let me also appeal to them, let them continue to make mistakes."
The escalating war of words underscores the intense power struggle still raging in Rivers over control of the state's political and governmental levers in the wake of the contentious 2023 elections. Wike had been considered a political heavyweight before his ouster, having governed for eight years.
Analysts say the feuding between Fubara and his predecessor could have major implications for governance and hamper efforts to address critical issues like economic development, infrastructure, and public services across Rivers if it descends into further chaos and gridlock.
"This is an untenable situation that cannot persist without causing serious disruptions," said Akanna Okeke, a professor of political science at the University of Port Harcourt. "The people of Rivers State will be the ones who suffer if the in-fighting precipitates a breakdown in authority and government paralysis."
With high-stakes general elections looming in 2027, observers also warn the conflict could exacerbate already tenuous political and social tensions across the Niger Delta region if it continues to fester.
For now, Fubara appears intent on solidifying his position, announcing plans to convene a panel to probe previous administrations, including Wike's tenure – a move almost certain to pour more gasoline on the incendiary feud. As insults fly back and forth, the road ahead looks increasingly rocky for the Rivers political establishment.
