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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of prioritising his 2027 re-election bid over governance, in the latest escalation of the state’s prolonged political crisis. Wike made the remark during the monthly media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, saying the governor’s attention has shifted from delivering public services to “political survival.”
“,The governor is yet to submit his budget to the House of Assembly but he is busy running for second term ambition,” Wike said.
“When governance is abandoned for ambition, the people suffer.” He alleged that key projects in education, health, and infrastructure have been halted while Fubara is focusing more on political campaigns and re-election efforts
Governor Fubara has not publicly responded to the latest comments as of Thursday morning. His office previously said the administration remains focused on “completing ongoing projects and improving livelihoods” The Rivers government has consistently maintained that it is committed to stability and development in the state.
here has been a prolonged political rift between Wike and Fubara, whom he supported in 2023 to succeed him as governor of Rivers State, over control of political structures in the oil-rich South-South state.
The crisis escalated when lawmakers loyal to the FCT minister—led by Martin Amaewhule—attempted to impeach Fubara.
This development led President Bola Tinubu to suspend Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in March 2025, following the prolonged political impasse.
Following the suspension, Tinubu appointed and swore in retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator of the state.
After six months, however, the President lifted the emergency rule, allowing Fubara, his deputy, and the lawmakers to return.
The lifting of the emergency rule followed a meeting in June between President Tinubu, Fubara, Wike, Amaewhule, and other lawmakers, which led to a reconciliation of the key political actors in the crisis.
