The political landscape in Rivers State has taken yet another dramatic turn, with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reasserting control over the grassroots political structure after the August 30, 2025, local government elections.
His successor and estranged political protégé, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has been left weakened after losing his own local government area to the opposition.
On Sunday, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) announced results showing the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning 20 of the 23 councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured the remaining three.
Both sets of winners are widely regarded as loyalists of Wike, underscoring his enduring influence in the state.
Among the APC victories were Obio/Akpor — Wike’s home LGA — Port Harcourt City, and Opobo-Nkoro, the governor’s constituency, which slipped out of his grasp. Notable APC winners included Ofori Owolabi (Abua/Odual), Solomon Achoma (Ahoada East), Eugene Cheta (Ahoada West), George Onengiyeofori (Asari Toru), Confidence Deko (Gokana), and Dr. Gift Wodo (Obio/Akpor). PDP held onto Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ogu/Bolo, and Port Harcourt City LGAs.
Atiku Rejects Results, Calls for Annulment
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar swiftly condemned the elections, describing them as “an awful absurdity and a travesty to the very notion of elective democracy.”
In a post on X, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of orchestrating a “shameful and shambolic” process for political advantage.
“By the manner in which the occupation government went ahead to conduct local government elections in Rivers State, it is clear that the ruling APC is prepared to throw caution to the wind to secure an inordinate political advantage,” Atiku said.
He urged opposition parties in the state to reject the results, insisting the RSIEC lacked legitimacy to conduct the exercise.
Atiku further appealed to Nigerians and the international community to pay close attention to what he termed “a dangerous curve” in Nigeria’s democracy, warning that Rivers people had become “victims of political brigandry at the hands of a power cabal bent on overturning their democratic rights at all costs.”
Wike vs. Fubara: A Prolonged Feud
The latest development adds another chapter to the bitter rift between Wike and Governor Fubara, which erupted in late 2024 when Fubara allegedly moved to replace Wike’s loyalist, Martin Amaewhule, as Speaker of the state House of Assembly.
The power struggle triggered violent confrontations, including the bombing of the Assembly complex, impeachment attempts, counter-suspensions, and the emergence of rival Speakers. Fubara later appointed Edison Ehie, a loyal ally, as his Chief of Staff, further deepening the split.
The crisis escalated into violent protests and militant threats, prompting President Tinubu to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers.
He suspended the governor, his deputy, and the state assembly, appointing former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Administrator for an initial six-month tenure expiring September 18, 2025.
Ibas’ interim rule has largely favoured Wike, with most new appointments drawn from his camp. He also sacked Fubara’s appointees across state agencies, including RSIEC, replacing them with loyalists — among them Dr. Michael Odey, who oversaw the just-concluded polls.
Though Wike allowed PDP to retain his home council, the APC — under his tacit influence — swept nearly all other LGAs, cementing his hold on Rivers grassroots politics.
