Photo: Wike and Fubara
By: Ndidi Okafor
The defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reshaped the state’s political landscape, weakening the influence of the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyeso Wike, a former commissioner has said.
Austin Tam-George, former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, said recent political developments within the past three weeks had significantly altered existing power calculations in the state, adding that the shift appeared to have unsettled Wike and his allies.
Tam-George made the remarks on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, where he attributed Wike’s recent tours of several local government areas in the state to the changing political realities following the governor’s defection.
According to him, Fubara’s move to the APC has diminished the leverage previously enjoyed by the Wike camp over the Rivers State Government, compelling them to seek alternative means of reasserting their influence.
However, he warned that the prolonged political tension and instability arising from the rivalry could be harmful to the state and its residents.
“The movement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the APC in the last 21 days has changed the political calculation in Rivers State,” Tam-George said.
“In the past two weeks or so, the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has been moving from one local government area to another, openly confronting the Rivers State Government and, at some point, even disparaging the leadership structures of the APC.
“He also accused some senior party leaders and the Tinubu administration of visiting Rivers State to allegedly receive money or inducements from the state government.
“What is clear is that the governor’s defection has threatened the leverage previously held by the Wike camp, and they are now seeking ways to reassert what they believe is a diminishing influence.
“Unfortunately, it is the state that ultimately suffers from this kind of political instability.”
