Tinubu Allegedly Cedes Rivers Political Control to Wike Ahead of 2027 Elections

Outrage has erupted among political observers and citizens of Rivers State as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu failed to address the ongoing suspension of democratic governance in the state during the 26th Democracy Day celebration on June 12, 2025.

Many Nigerians had anticipated that the President would seize the symbolic occasion to reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and reintroduce democratic leadership in Rivers State. However, those expectations were unmet, as President Tinubu remained silent on the matter during his speech to the joint session of the National Assembly.

Previously, Tinubu had declared a six-month suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State, invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), citing escalating tensions and the threat of breakdown of law and order under Governor Fubara’s leadership.

In his address at the time, Tinubu noted that militant groups had openly issued violent threats against perceived enemies of the Governor, whom Fubara allegedly failed to distance himself from. According to the President, the situation had become untenable, prompting the constitutional emergency declaration on March 18, 2025.

Despite ongoing federal allocations to a Sole Administrator, residents of Rivers State told LMSINT MEDIA that conditions in the state have worsened, with stalled projects and a deepening governance vacuum. Attempts by Fubara to present the 2025 budget to the Rivers State Assembly were rebuffed, and on March 12, 2025, he was denied access to the assembly quarters.

In the midst of this power struggle, Fubara has sought reconciliation with his political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Sources confirmed that he met with Wike in Abuja on June 13 and earlier visited President Tinubu in Lagos ahead of the Democracy Day celebration.

Despite these efforts, the President maintained the emergency rule, drawing criticism from Senator Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West, who argued that Tinubu missed an opportunity to restore democracy. Highlighting the historical significance of June 12, Dickson lamented the President’s decision to sidestep the Rivers issue, stating, “One cannot claim to be a democrat while suppressing democratic rights.”

Speaking with LMSINT MEDIA, Chizy Enyi, APC chieftain and Port Harcourt-based lawyer, alleged that Tinubu’s true motive is to secure political dominance in Rivers ahead of the 2027 elections. Enyi claimed Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara was a strategic move to hand control of the state’s political structure to Wike, empowering him to mobilize grassroots support.

Enyi added that the Sole Administrator currently in place is filling key political positions with Wike’s loyalists and even organizing local government elections—actions Enyi argues are unconstitutional and reflective of military rule. He pointed to a Supreme Court ruling barring caretaker appointees from running LGAs, asserting that Tinubu’s actions flout that decision.

He further contended that had Fubara’s allies been appointed instead, Wike’s camp would have responded with violence. According to him, “The crisis in Rivers is not about governance, but about Tinubu entrusting Wike with political control for 2027.”

Despite the President’s absence from Rivers since his election, Enyi said, Tinubu still expects political support in 2027. “Time will judge this administration,” he stated. “Rivers people will not forget.”

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former nPDP spokesperson and APC chieftain, echoed these concerns in a separate interview with LMSINT MEDIA. He alleged that Tinubu’s actions were not aimed at stabilizing Rivers but at marginalizing former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi politically. According to Eze, the emergency rule is a tactical ploy to prevent Rivers from developing like Lagos or Akwa Ibom.

Eze accused Tinubu of deliberately crippling Fubara to ensure compliance with a broader agenda. “The emergency rule will persist until Tinubu is confident Fubara will act in line with their political designs,” he said, warning that the move is causing long-term harm to the state.

Residents also voiced concerns. Dike Emmanuel from Port Harcourt criticized the halt in infrastructure projects. “No new road works have been initiated. What is the federal allocation being used for?” he asked.

Another resident, Finipri Obomanu, disputed the justification for the emergency rule. “There was peace even before Fubara’s suspension. Rivers is not among the states battling daily killings,” he said, citing more severe insecurity in states like Benue and Zamfara.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide joined the growing calls for the reinstatement of democracy in Rivers. The group appealed to Tinubu to honor the spirit of June 12 and restore both Governor Fubara and the elected lawmakers.

The Council emphasized that Tinubu, a major beneficiary of Nigeria’s democratic history, must lead by example and uphold the constitutional rights of Rivers people.