The political tension in Rivers State has escalated, with grassroots battles unfolding between current Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. This conflict, rooted in the extension of local government chairmen's tenures, has now become a complex struggle for power and influence in the state.

The initial sparks of this crisis were lit when 27 state lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule and aligned with then-Governor Wike, amended the State Local Government Law to extend the tenure of local government chairmen by six months. This move was made because Governor Fubara had not conducted local government elections. However, Governor Fubara remained silent, holding his cards close and waiting for the right moment to respond.

On June 18, 2024, Governor Fubara took decisive action by swearing in caretaker committee (CTC) chairmen for the 23 local government areas. These new leaders were promptly approved by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly, loyal to Fubara, and were expected to assume office immediately after the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.

Observers are now keenly watching how the ongoing conflict between Governor Fubara and his estranged political mentor, Nyesom Wike, will unfold. The tension began to escalate when Fubara nominated CTC members to replace the outgoing local government chairmen, whose tenure ended on June 17, 2024. Despite the extension granted by the pro-Wike Assembly, 21 of the 23 local government chairmen refused to leave office, citing the amended law.

On June 18, the standoff reached a boiling point as the outgoing chairmen faced fierce resistance from Fubara's supporters. In Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, the chairman, Allwell Ihunda, who also served as the State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), was chased away by protesters, including members of the Ijaw Youths Congress. Ihunda narrowly escaped harm thanks to his security details, who fired warning shots to disperse the crowd.

In Obio/Akpor, the local government of FCT Minister Wike, protesters overwhelmed the council headquarters. The outgoing chairman, George Ariolu, was absent, but protesters vandalized one of his cars and toppled a statue of the former governor. Similar chaotic scenes unfolded in other local government areas, such as Eleme, Ahoada East, Tai, and Khana. In Eberi-Omuma, the situation turned deadly, with a policeman and a local vigilante member killed in clashes.

The violence prompted a swift response from the police, who took control of the local government secretariats. Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered that the police maintain their presence until the courts ruled on the matter, as the chairmen's tenure extension was already being litigated.

A May 2024 judgment by Justice Daketima Kio of the Rivers State High Court had declared any attempt to extend the local government chairmen's tenure illegal, making the amended local government law null and void. Despite this, the pro-Wike lawmakers continued to push for the extension, leading to further legal battles.

The conflict between Fubara and Wike dates back to disagreements over the leadership of the state House of Assembly. Fubara attempted to replace the Amaewhule-led leadership with a Speaker loyal to him, triggering violence and deepening the rift with Wike.

High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a prominent Niger Delta elder, revealed that Governor Fubara almost resigned due to Wike's overbearing influence but was persuaded to stay by key stakeholders. Sara-Igbe urged Wike to focus on his duties in Abuja and allow Fubara to govern Rivers State.

As tensions escalated, the pro-Wike lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara. On October 30, 2023, the state House of Assembly was bombed, and the lawmakers held a controversial plenary in a secured hall to initiate the impeachment process. Fubara, accompanied by supporters, confronted the police at the Assembly complex and inspected the bombed facility, questioning the lawmakers' motives.

The crisis further deepened when the pro-Wike lawmakers defected from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC), creating a factionalized House of Assembly. The Fubara loyalists, led by House Leader Edison Ehie, declared the defectors' seats vacant and called for bye-elections.

President Bola Tinubu intervened, brokering an eight-point peace agreement between Wike and Fubara. However, the truce was short-lived, and hostilities resumed, with new political alliances forming against Wike.

At the heart of this conflict is the struggle for control over Rivers State's political structure. Fubara's survival of the impeachment attempt and his efforts to replace the Assembly leadership demonstrate his determination to consolidate power. Meanwhile, Wike's continued influence and the defection of key political figures to Fubara's camp have added new dimensions to the conflict.

As the CTC chairmen take office, Governor Fubara urged them to operate peacefully and maintain order. However, the police's continued presence at the local government secretariats, as directed by the Inspector General, remains a point of contention. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, criticized the police's role, calling for a balanced approach to avoid further bloodshed.

The Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, led by Enefaa Georgewill, also condemned the police's involvement, warning of potential street protests if the police do not respect court judgments and constitutional provisions.

The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State issued a four-day ultimatum for the police to vacate the LGA secretariats. NULGE President Clifford Paul emphasized the need for workers to access their premises and hinted at possible union action if the situation is not resolved.

The political crisis in Rivers State underscores the fragile nature of power dynamics and the lengths to which political actors will go to maintain or challenge control. As the situation continues to evolve, the residents of Rivers State and political observers nationwide are left wondering how and when this turbulent chapter will come to a close.

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