The failure of the peace pact reached before the expiration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and disagreement over a supplementary budget proposed by associates of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have reportedly ignited a fresh face-off.
Naijaonpoint reports that Wike has been openly attacking Fubara over his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that in June, the National Assembly approved an appropriation of ₦1.48 trillion for Rivers State during the tenure of Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of the state.
However, sources familiar with recent developments in Rivers State said the rift rekindled after Wike pushed for a supplementary appropriation through state lawmakers loyal to him, but Fubara rejected the proposal, arguing that the budget passed by the national assembly under emergency rule was sufficient for the rest of 2025.
According to TheCable, following Fubara’s rejection of the supplementary budget proposal, Wike summoned key political allies, including members of the state assembly, to the residence of Rivers’ prominent political elder, Ferdinand Anabraba, in Port Harcourt.
A source at the meeting said Wike declared he was ready for a fresh political confrontation with Fubara.
The source said, “Wike told them plainly that he was declaring fresh war on Fubara.”
Fubara’s Defection To APC
An insider who spoke to TheCable said President Bola Tinubu approved Fubara’s alignment with the APC after the Governor noticed an imminent political showdown with Wike.
APC governors also embraced Fubara, partly because of lingering tensions among them and Wike.
An insider said, “The thinking was that bringing Fubara fully into the APC would weaken Wike’s leverage.”
Failed Peace Pact And Commissioner Appointments
Fubara reportedly promised, as part of the peace deal with Tinubu and Wike, that he would not contest a second term, but it appears he will now do so in his new party.
A source said part of the peace terms proposed by Wike before the suspension of the emergency rule in Rivers included a demand that Fubara reinstate Sergeant Awuse, the traditional ruler of the Emohua kingdom, as chair of the state’s traditional rulers’ council.
Fubara had sacked Awuse, a strong ally of Wike, in June 2024 and appointed Chike Worlu Wodo in his stead.
Wike also demanded the appointment of new commissioners, a request Fubara failed to implement.
The source added, “Fubara felt those conditions would completely undermine his authority as Governor. That was the final straw.”