Opinion
Wike, The Destiny Governor
When the electoral
umpire of Nigeria, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), unfolded the time-table for presidential, governorship, national and state assembly elections, politicians and their followers as well as Nigerians generally were firmly gripped with “Election Fever”, because of the consciousness of Nigerian people in the political equation of their fatherland.
In Rivers State, scores of gubernatorial aspirants signaled their intentions to contest and accordingly bought forms.
It would be recalled that close to 30 aspirants were from the PDP. Of this number, at least 15 were from the Kalabari speaking local government areas sponsored by political fire-eaters, juggernauts, caterpillars and irons.
It would not be easily forgotten that of all the guber-aspirants only Chief Barr Ezenwo Wike had a recognised and acceptable political structure, the “Grassroots Development Initiative” that cuts across the entire Rivers State landscape with impressive followership.
Wike successfully went through the primary election beating all others hands down. So, it came to pass on Saturday 11th April, 2015, the governorship election was held and 18 contestants from various political parties vied for the Brick House of Rivers State.
Prominent among the 18 candidates were Chief Barr Ezenwo Wike of PDP and Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside of APC.
At the end of the polls INEC declared Wike of PDP winner with 89.18 per cent of total votes counted and Peterside of APC with 10.82per cent of total votes counted.
As usual in Nigeria, a country where politicians hardly concede defeat easily except the immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who conceded defeat to President Buhari, the opposition APC headed for the election tribunal which decided against Wike and PDP. Not satisfied with the election tribunal judgement, Wike and PDP again appealed against the decision of the election tribunal in the Appeal Court.
It is most disappointing that the Appeal Court toed the line of the election tribunal by deciding against PDP and Wike, PDP and Wike still not satisfied with the out-come of both the election tribunal and the Appeal Court judgements, made straight to the court of all the courts in Nigeria, the Supreme Court, with well selected and chosen 6 wise legal luminaries with ability to dissect, probe deeply into the case with matured legal minds and thoughts strictly in the naked eye of the law and periscoping all the judgements of the lower courts with meticulous exactitude.
Interestingly and expectedly, the judgement of the 6-member grand jury by the highest temple of justice in Nigeria was delivered on Wednesday 27th January 2016 which courageously upturned the judgements of both the election tribunal and the Appeal Court, despite internal and external influence and pressures, thus bringing the governorship tussle of Rivers State to finality in favour of Wike.
By simple calculation, a minimum of 360 gubernatorial candidates from the 36 states of Nigeria might have contested the governorship election on April 11th 2015 for only 36 governors for 36 states.
It obviously stands to reason that only as few as 36 governors would be elected. This goes to re-affirm what the good book says in Matthew 22:14 that “many are called but few are chosen”. The good book also says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that “To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”. That is to say the governorship tussle has been laid to rest after all the twists, curves, turns and horse-trading that are usually associated with politics.
It would be recalled that since the announcement of the victory of Wike by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, he had extended the olive branch by inviting all politicians and their followers to join the bandwagon of PDP in the true spirit of “no victor no vanquished”.
At last, the storm surrounding the governorship election in Rivers State is over with the prayers of the people. The meek and lowly disposition of Governor Wike, his respect and regard for elders and senior citizens as well as the cream of men and women of God, who had been praying for him moved God to achieve this hard-earned victory for the governor.
Now is the time for Wike, the winning Governor of Rivers State, to settle down to work with his cabinet comprising men and women of egg-heads, who believe in the principle of sincerity, integrity, probity and transparency for the actualisation of the much expected new Rivers Vision.
Arinyedokiari wrote from Port Harcourt.
Tubonimi Arinyedokiari
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.