In a twist of events, Rivers State faces heightened tension over speculations of an emergency rule declaration, fueled by the acrimonious rift between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
As gathered by Quest Times, the alleged power play has triggered concerns about potential disruptions and even led to the resignation of several commissioners.
Despite the looming crisis, the Rivers State government remains steadfast, asserting that there is no vacuum in the state’s cabinet.
Also, sources claim that the power struggle has prompted intervention efforts by elders and leaders in the Niger Delta region, emphasizing the need for peace to prevent further destabilization.
Amidst claims of a plot to impose emergency rule, sources also reveal resistance from the country’s security services and intelligence, indicating a reluctance to entertain such drastic measures.
However, the brewing tensions have sparked fears of a resurgence of militancy in the creeks, with various groups trading allegations of political manipulation.
Moreso, the crisis has already witnessed political defections, as 27 members of the state House of Assembly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amidst rumours of an impeachment plot against the governor.
The recent demolition of the state House of Assembly’s buildings further adds to the complex narrative.
Notably, former Niger Delta militants are reportedly regrouping, causing concern among stakeholders in the oil sector; the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC) are leading efforts to preserve the current political order, urging timely intervention from national leaders.
President Bola Tinubu’s silence on the matter has equally drawn criticism, with calls for him to address the escalating crisis.
The President of the INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, in response to the situation, expressed frustration over perceived marginalization, warning of potential consequences on oil installations in Ijaw land.
He said, “We are already angered that the government of President Bola Tinubu has marginalised Ijaw people. In Delta State, where three persons were picked for a federal appointment, none is from the Ijaw nation.
“Meanwhile, the Ijaws are the most economically viable in that state. We are noting all of this. But for him to keep quiet and allow Wike to carry on with the way he has so far shows that there is some tacit support. And we shall not take that.
“As we speak, our people are so angered; our people are so frustrated to the extent that we can no longer guarantee, if things continue in this way, the safety of the oil installations in Ijaw land and our region.
“Since 1958, Nigeria has been surviving on the oil that comes from Ijaw land. Today, we are crying about marginalisation; we call it environmental degradation.
“The Ijaw nation is most affected when you talk of climate change and all that. But daily, we are treated as if we are not humans. This must stop.
“40 million Ijaw people are angered and aggrieved. And they are saying that a slap on Governor Fubara is a slap on the entire Ijaw nation.
“Any attempt to further close up our political space to remove Siminalayi Fubara from office is a call for fire.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, confirming the incident, downplayed the impact of cabinet resignations, assuring that the government machinery will continue without disruption, while emphasizing the role of permanent secretaries in maintaining stability.
“Don’t forget that there are permanent secretaries who are the owners of the ministries. The commissioner is just an appointee. The owners of the ministries are permanent secretaries with their directors. There is nothing that will stop the machinery of government. The permanent secretary is an authority. When there’s no governor, there’s a deputy governor who will perform the functions of the governor, if there’s no deputy governor there’s a Speaker of the Assembly. So the government will continue to run, nature abhors vacuum; there won’t be any vacuum,” he said.