Rivers State Governor Faces Cabinet Resignations Amid Power Struggle

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is facing a wave of resignations from his cabinet, including four commissioners, amid a power struggle with his predecessor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The crisis began shortly after Fubara took office on May 30, 2023, when it emerged that Wike had allegedly appointed 16 of the 18 cabinet members, including former commissioners who served under him.

The power struggle between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike has significant implications for the stability of Rivers State and the effectiveness of its government. If left unresolved, the crisis could lead to a breakdown in governance and hinder the state's ability to address pressing issues, ultimately affecting the lives of its citizens.

Wike's influence on Fubara's cabinet was evident from the start, with the first four commissioner nominees sent to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation being former cabinet members of Wike's administration. This was followed by two more batches of nominees, also alleged to be Wike's loyalists. The final list of 10 additional commissioners and Special Advisers was also said to have been influenced by Wike.

Between December 15 and 18, 2023, nine commissioners resigned from Fubara's cabinet, citing personal principles, conscience, and other commitments. The resignations deepened the crisis in the state, with parallel sittings held by the two factions of the state House of Assembly. The crisis took another turn when 26 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023.

To resolve the crisis, President Bola Tinubu initiated an eight-point peace pact between Wike and Fubara. One of the terms was that the names of all commissioners who resigned due to the political crisis would be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval. Fubara resubmitted the names, and on January 15, 2024, the House screened and reconfirmed them.

Despite the peace pact, the crisis is far from over. Observers note that the purported peace is not working out, and Fubara has begun to talk tough while the returnee commissioners are becoming increasingly confrontational to the governor. Recently, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Woke, made uncomplimentary remarks about the current administration, attracting calls for his removal.

Why this matters: In a live interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT) on November 24, 2023, Wike stated, "I don't like ingrates... money and power would always reveal the nature of a person." While swearing in the reconfirmed commissioners on January 24, 2024, Fubara urged them, "I urge you to do the right thing. I can see how heavy your hearts are. I don't blame you. You were caught in the crossfire."

The ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Minister Wike, has led to a wave of resignations and a deepening political crisis in Rivers State. Despite efforts to resolve the situation, tensions remain high as the returnee commissioners become increasingly confrontational towards the governor. As the conflict continues, the stability and effectiveness of Fubara's administration hang in the balance.

Key Takeaways

• Rivers State Governor Fubara faces cabinet resignations amid power struggle with predecessor Wike.
• Wike allegedly appointed 16 of 18 cabinet members, sparking crisis after Fubara took office.
• Nine commissioners resigned between Dec 15-18, 2023, citing personal principles and conscience.
• President Tinubu initiated an 8-point peace pact, but tensions remain high between Fubara and Wike.
• The crisis threatens the stability and effectiveness of Fubara's administration in Rivers State.