By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.
Rivers State has experienced political turbulence since the 2023 elections, primarily due to the deteriorating relationship between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory who has publicly withdrawn his support for Fubara; accusing him of ingratitude and alleging that Fubara spread falsehoods about him. Wike stated, “I will never support Fubara in my political life again.”
This rift has led to a division within the Rivers State House of Assembly, splitting it into factions loyal to either Wike or Fubara. The crisis escalated when the assembly chambers were set ablaze on October 29, 2023, an act Wike attributed to Fubara’s supporters aiming to prevent impeachment proceedings.
Amidst these political tensions, discussions about ethnic identities have surfaced. Fubara, hailing from the Ijaw ethnic group, has faced questions regarding his heritage but has affirmed his identity by stating, “I am a full-blooded, up to my bones, an Ijaw man.” Conversely, Wike has distanced himself from claims of Igbo identity, emphasizing his distinct ethnic background.
The Ijaw community had initiated reconciliation efforts between Wike and Fubara to restore peace in the state. The Ijaw Young Professionals Association (IYPA) emphasized that Wike is not an adversary to the Ijaw people, highlighting his past support for Ijaw individuals in governmental roles. This reconcilatory role might have suffered a set back by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Statements, which has been interpreted as asserting that the Ijaw people as a minority, cannot produce a governor in Rivers State. However, his actual statement was more nuanced, highlighting the political dynamics in the state. Wike mentioned that the Ijaw people are a minority in Rivers State and that it was out of benevolence that they were allowed to produce a governor, specifically referencing the role of Chief Ferdinand Alabraba in convincing him to support Siminalayi Fubara’s candidacy ¹.
Wike’s statement was made in the context of the current political crisis in Rivers State, where Governor Fubara is facing impeachment threats from lawmakers loyal to Wike. The Ijaw National Congress had warned that if Fubara is impeached, the consequences will be severe, and Wike’s statement has been seen as inflammatory and dismissive of Ijaw political aspirations.
However, Wike’s perceived relegation of Ijaw to a political inconsequential minority in the dynamics of power in River State is considered by many Ijaw sons and daughters both at home and the diaspora as an insult and is providing the ethnic nationalities a political rallying point. It leaves much to be desired of Wike’s type of politics. Democracy no doubt is a game of numbers, the majority in democracy is a function of defining demography of alliances more than that of ethnic nationalities. This, if seen in context of the desperation of some northern elements to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, may ignite a GEJ back to power movement. It is derogatory to say an ethnic nationality that had produced a President before can’t produce a Governor in Rivers State.
The native Igbos in Rivers State may be a demographic minority, but the Resident Igbos in River State can’t be less than 20% of the State’s population.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, a political alliance between the Ijaw and Igbo communities in Rivers State could significantly influence the political landscape. Such a coalition would consolidate substantial voter bases, potentially challenging existing power structures and promoting candidates who represent a broader spectrum of the state’s populace. However, the success of this alliance would depend on its ability to unify diverse interests and present a cohesive platform that resonates with the electorate.
In summary, the political dynamics in Rivers State are complex; influenced by personal rivalries, ethnic identities, and evolving alliances. The potential collaboration between the Ijaw and Igbo communities could reshape the state’s political future, provided it is built on mutual respect and shared objectives.
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