Wike Declares Rivers Governorship Race Settled, Offers Olive Branch

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has declared the contest for political dominance in Rivers State effectively settled, asserting that his political network has emerged victorious. Speaking at a political luncheon in Port Harcourt, Wike extended an olive branch to former allies and adversaries, urging them to return to what he termed a "united political family."

During his address, Wike also issued a stern warning to individuals outside Rivers State, cautioning them against interfering in the state's political affairs. He insisted that any efforts to undermine its political stability would be met with strong resistance. These remarks were later detailed in a statement released on Sunday by Rabi Umar, Deputy Director of Press in the Minister's office.

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The battle for political control of Rivers State has effectively been won by my political structure.

The former Rivers governor's pronouncements occur against the backdrop of a protracted political crisis that has gripped the state, marked by a significant fallout between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This ongoing confrontation has been widely characterized as a struggle for control over Rivers State's political and financial infrastructure, escalating from an initial informal succession arrangement into a deep-seated power contest.

The dispute, which ignited shortly after Fubara took office in 2023, is rooted in fundamental disagreements concerning political appointments, access to state finances, and influence over the governing party structure. What initially seemed like a planned transition under a shared political understanding rapidly devolved into a full-blown crisis. The Rivers State House of Assembly became a focal point of the conflict, splitting into rival factions, further exacerbating institutional paralysis and political uncertainty within the state. The crisis has seen legislative battles, court interventions, and even impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor and his deputy by a faction aligned with Wike's political bloc.

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Individuals outside Rivers State should not interfere in the state’s political affairs. Any attempt to undermine its political stability would be resisted.