By Mo Hanif
The deepening political crisis in Rivers State took another turn as members of the State House of Assembly, largely loyal to former Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, snubbed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s invitation for reconciliation talks.
The invitation, signed by Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, called on the lawmakers to meet with Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday. The move was seen as an attempt to mend the widening rift following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that reinstated 27 lawmakers who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
These lawmakers, led by Speaker Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, had earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Fubara, demanding that he re-present the 2025 budget—a budget they had previously annulled after declaring their own faction the legitimate legislative authority in the state.
However, the lawmakers were quick to pour cold water on any hope of dialogue. Lawmaker Lolo Isaiah Opuende, in a video that surfaced on Sunday night, dismissed the invitation, questioning its legitimacy. He criticized the informal manner in which the letter was disseminated—posted on social media rather than officially delivered. With a note of finality, Opuende declared that it was time for Fubara to “dey his dey” (handle his affairs) while the lawmakers focused on theirs.
This outright rejection underscores the worsening political hostility in Rivers, a state long known for its high-stakes power struggles. The lawmakers’ refusal to meet Fubara raises questions about whether reconciliation is still possible or if the battle lines have been irreversibly drawn.
At the heart of the conflict is the lingering shadow of Wike, Fubara’s former political godfather turned adversary. While the governor seeks to establish his authority, Wike’s loyalists in the Assembly appear determined to block his moves at every turn. Observers note that Fubara’s leadership will continue to be tested unless he finds a way to either neutralize his political opponents or broker a truce that satisfies both camps.
For now, with the lawmakers setting conditions for engagement and Fubara facing resistance at every step, Rivers State remains on edge—caught in the crossfire of a battle for supremacy that shows no signs of easing.