Inside Rivers crisis: Budget standoff triggers fresh showdown between Wike and Fubara

Fresh details have emerged on the renewed political crisis in Rivers State, indicating that a dispute over a proposed supplementary budget reignited the power struggle between Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Sources familiar with the development told TheCable that tensions resurfaced after associates of Wike attempted to push a supplementary appropriation bill through Rivers State lawmakers loyal to him. Fubara reportedly blocked the move, maintaining that the budget approved during the period of emergency rule was sufficient to run the state for the remainder of 2025.

In June, the National Assembly approved a N1.48 trillion budget for Rivers State after President Bola Tinubu presented the appropriation bill in May, following the declaration of emergency rule and Fubara’s suspension. Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed administrator during the period.

Fubara was said to have strengthened his opposition to the supplementary budget by disclosing that the state had over N300 billion in its accounts at the time of his suspension and that he met about N600 billion on his return to office, arguing that there was no fiscal justification for additional appropriation.

TheCable reported, referencing multiple sources, that Wike convened a closed-door meeting of key political allies and loyal members of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the Port Harcourt residence of Ferdinand Anabraba, a prominent political elder in the state, after Fubara rejected the budget proposal.

Those present said the former governor made it clear he was prepared for a full-scale political battle with his successor.

“He told everyone at the meeting that he was ready for a political war with Fubara,” one source said.

Earlier in December, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, accused Fubara of unauthorised expenditure and awarding contracts without legislative approval, further escalating the standoff between the executive and the legislature.

Sources said Fubara, anticipating a renewed confrontation, began aligning with the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move reportedly backed by President Tinubu. APC governors were also said to have rallied around the Rivers governor, partly due to lingering tensions between them and Wike.

“The idea was that bringing Fubara fully into the APC would weaken Wike’s political grip,” an insider said.

Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 9. Although he was reportedly asked to pledge that he would not seek a second term as part of earlier peace arrangements, sources said that understanding now appears uncertain.

Fragile peace collapses

Insiders revealed that before the lifting of emergency rule, Wike had demanded the reinstatement of Sergeant Awuse, a close ally and traditional ruler of the Emohua kingdom, as chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council. Fubara had removed Awuse from the position in June 2024 and replaced him with Chike Worlu Wodo.

Wike was also said to have insisted on fresh commissioner appointments, conditions Fubara allegedly refused to implement.

“Accepting those demands would have completely undermined Fubara’s authority as governor. That was the breaking point,” a source said.

The failure to meet those conditions reportedly collapsed the fragile truce between both camps, prompting Wike to resume open attacks on Fubara following the governor’s defection to the APC.

On Tuesday, the FCT minister said what he described as a leadership mistake in Rivers State would be corrected in 2027, adding that he would later reveal details of the peace agreement that returned Fubara to office.

The prolonged political crisis between Fubara and lawmakers aligned with Wike had earlier led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State last year.