President Tinubu is reportedly facing tough choices in Rivers amid Wike and Fubara feud escalation.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace, President Bola Tinubu is confronted with a delicate political dilemma in Rivers State, where the long-running feud between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues to deepen.
At the heart of the crisis is a strategic calculation over who can best deliver Rivers State’s crucial bloc votes to the President. Tinubu’s options appear stark: align firmly with Wike, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heavyweight serving in his APC-led federal government, or back Fubara, the sitting governor who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a bid to consolidate his political future.
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Fubara’s emergence as governor in May 2023 was initially seen as a product of Wike’s political machinery, with the former Rivers governor playing a decisive role in his ascension. However, that alliance soon collapsed, giving way to bitter disagreements over control of state structures, resources, and political direction.
The rift escalated rapidly, culminating in heightened tensions within the Rivers State House of Assembly, largely dominated by lawmakers loyal to Wike. Many observers believe President Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers in 2025 which temporarily suspended democratic governance was aimed at preventing Fubara’s impeachment. Yet, critics argue that most subsequent developments during the six-month period appeared to favour the FCT minister.
Under the sole administration of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Wike’s allies reportedly strengthened their grip on local political structures, conducted local government elections, and installed loyalists across councils, further weakening Fubara’s base. Ironically, the emergency rule also halted impeachment moves and ultimately paved the way for Fubara’s reinstatement in September 2025, reviving his political fortunes.
Upon his return, Fubara pledged loyalty to both Tinubu and Wike, signalling a tactical truce rather than genuine reconciliation. However, his defection from the PDP to the APC was widely interpreted as a significant political setback for Wike, especially as it repositioned the governor closer to the President ahead of 2027.
The move triggered fresh tensions, with Wike’s camp insisting that Fubara’s defection does not automatically confer APC leadership on him in Rivers. Wike, who maintains strong influence at the grassroots level, argues that party leadership is rooted in ward and local government control, not merely formal membership.
The crisis intensified recently after the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu. Although the presidency has remained officially silent, reports suggest presidential intervention stalled the process. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, later affirmed the President’s support for Fubara, stressing that the governor should be allowed to govern without undue interference, while clarifying that Wike, despite his influence, is not a member of the APC.
With 2027 approaching, the central question remains: who does Tinubu need most to secure Rivers State?
Political stakeholders remain divided. PDP chieftain Dr Adetokunbo Pearse argues that Tinubu would be better served by working with the sitting governor, who controls state resources and was elected by the people. He insists that Rivers remains largely PDP-leaning and that neither Wike nor federal pressure can easily shift voter loyalty.
Similarly, political analyst Dr Sani Abubakar believes aligning with Fubara is the pragmatic choice, noting that governors traditionally control party machinery and mobilisation structures in their states. He dismissed claims that Wike single-handedly delivered Rivers to Tinubu in 2023, describing such assertions as exaggerated.
However, Wike continues to project confidence in his grassroots networks and South-South influence, insisting he remains a key political force in Rivers. His supporters argue that his organisational strength and experience are assets the President cannot afford to ignore.
As the rivalry festers, analysts warn that Wike’s confrontational style could deepen internal fractures and alienate swing voters, while Fubara’s defection has already boosted the APC’s local profile. Some observers suggest Tinubu’s safest path may lie in carefully balancing both men’s strengths rather than openly choosing sides.
For now, Rivers State remains a political minefield, and how President Tinubu navigates the Wike–Fubara feud may prove decisive not only for the state but for his re-election prospects in 2027.
