Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has reasserted dominance in Rivers State’s political landscape. In the recently held August 30 local government elections, the APC won 20 LGAs, while the PDP secured 3. All elected officials, regardless of party, are known Wike loyalists.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara lost his own local government area, Opobo-Nkoro, to the APC. The elections were conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), now headed by Dr. Michael Odey, an appointee of the federally imposed state administrator.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the polls as a “travesty of democracy,” calling them sham elections conducted by an illegitimate administration.
He accused the Tinubu-led federal government of orchestrating a “political occupation” in Rivers and called on opposition parties and the international community to reject the results.
The conflict between Wike and his estranged political godson Governor Fubara erupted in late 2024 over control of the State House of Assembly and key appointments.
Following an attack on a vital oil pipeline and mounting instability, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngobi Odu and All House of Assembly members.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) was appointed as State Administrator and began sweeping changes, replacing local officials loyal to Fubara and appointing those aligned with Wike.
The August 30 local government election was conducted under the emergency administration.
Notably all 23 elected chairmen are male; all vice-chairmen are female, a gender policy initiated by Wike.
Ogbonna Nwuke, a former House of Reps member, questioned the legitimacy of the results, citing widespread voter apathy. He challenged claims of Wike’s popularity if voter turnout was low.
Meanwhile, critics maintain that Wike’s regained dominance is temporary and built on a shaky legal foundation. Opposition is expected to mount legal challenges in the coming weeks.
The emergency rule in Rivers is scheduled to end on September 18, 2025, but uncertainty remains over the political future of the state, the fate of Governor Fubara and the legitimacy of the new local government structure.
