By Obinna Uballa
Indications have emerged to the effect that a disagreement over a proposed supplementary budget is what reopened hostilities between Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, throwing the state back into the vortex of political tension.
Sources familiar with the matter told TheCable, online newspaper, that the latest clash erupted after allies of Wike sought to push a supplementary appropriation through Rivers State lawmakers loyal to him. Fubara, however, rejected the proposal, insisting that the budget already approved during the period of emergency rule was adequate to run the state for the rest of 2025.
The New Diplomat had reported that in June, the National Assembly approved a N1.48 trillion appropriation for Rivers State following the declaration of emergency rule and the suspension of Fubara. President Bola Tinubu had presented the budget in May after appointing Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s administrator.
Fubara was said to have reinforced his position by disclosing that over N300 billion was in the state’s coffers at the time of his suspension and that he met about N600 billion upon his return, arguing that a supplementary budget was unnecessary.
Port Harcourt meeting signals fresh battle
Multiple sources told TheCable that Wike convened a high-level meeting of political allies and loyal lawmakers at the Port Harcourt residence of Ferdinand Anabraba, a respected political elder in Rivers State, following Fubara’s refusal to approve the supplementary budget.
According to those present, Wike made it clear that he was prepared for an all-out political confrontation with the governor.
“He told everyone at the meeting that he was ready to go to war politically with Fubara,” a source said.
Earlier in December, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, accused Fubara of engaging in unauthorised spending and awarding contracts without legislative approval, deepening the standoff between the executive and the legislature.
APC factor and Tinubu’s backing
Sources said Fubara, anticipating an escalation of the conflict, began aligning with the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move reportedly endorsed by President Tinubu. APC governors were also said to have embraced the Rivers governor, partly due to strained relations between them and Wike.
“The calculation was that moving Fubara fully into the APC would significantly reduce Wike’s influence,” an insider explained.
Fubara formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 9. Although he was reportedly made to pledge that he would not seek a second term as part of earlier peace talks, sources said that understanding now appears shaky.
Peace deal collapses
Insiders revealed that before the lifting of emergency rule, Wike had demanded the reinstatement of Sergeant Awuse, a key 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 appointed Chike Worlu Wodo instead.
Wike was also said to have demanded fresh commissioner appointments – conditions Fubara allegedly refused to meet.
“Accepting those terms would have stripped Fubara of real authority as governor. That was where the peace deal finally broke down,” a source said.
The unmet demands reportedly collapsed the fragile truce between both camps, prompting Wike to resume public attacks on Fubara after 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 disclose details of the peace agreement that restored Fubara to office.
The prolonged crisis between Fubara and pro-Wike lawmakers had earlier culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State last year.
