Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the escalating political tension in Rivers State by calling Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to order. Ugochinyere accused Wike’s supporters of orchestrating the recent attacks on local government area (LGA) secretariats in Rivers State, which were set ablaze following the swearing-in of newly elected LGA chairpersons.
On Monday, secretariats in Emohua, Eleme, and Ikwerre LGAs were targeted by hoodlums, shortly after Governor Siminalayi Fubara inaugurated the 23 council chairpersons who emerged victorious in the local council elections conducted the previous Saturday. The election results saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) claim 22 LGAs, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one.
Ugochinyere, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo, expressed his concerns in a public statement. He alleged that the attacks were part of a deliberate effort by Wike’s supporters to destabilize the state and push for a declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
“Supporters of a serving minister in Tinubu’s government are burning the headquarters of another arm of government, and the police have not acted to stop them,” Ugochinyere stated. “Mr. President, Nigeria has witnessed situations like this before, and the consequences were grave. You must act to stop this madness.”
The lawmaker also warned that these actions would not succeed in overturning the election results or removing the newly sworn-in LGA chairpersons. He further alleged that the attacks were being orchestrated to aid Wike’s “greedy and desperate quest” to seize control of the state’s political structure.
“The people of Rivers and Nigerians are watching and recording all of this,” Ugochinyere added. “The elected chairpersons have been sworn in, and there is nothing the alleged Wike group can do to change that.”
The conflict between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has been building for months. Both political heavyweights are engaged in a power struggle over the control of Rivers State’s political machinery. The recent LGA elections were marred by controversy, with conflicting court rulings adding to the tension.
On September 4, a high court in Rivers ruled that the state electoral commission could conduct the LGA elections using the 2023 voter register. However, on September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and prohibited security agencies from providing support during the polls. Despite this, the election proceeded without a voter register or police presence.
Ugochinyere urged President Tinubu to act swiftly to de-escalate the situation and prevent further destabilization in Rivers, warning that the current path could jeopardize the state’s democratic framework. “Let the president stop the madness coming from Abuja before it destroys the entire democratic system. Act in your own interest,” Ugochinyere said.
As tensions remain high, Rivers residents are anxiously watching the evolving political drama, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
