Wike, Fubara conflict is about sharing money, says Amaechi
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has claimed that the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State stems from a financial dispute between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking in an interview with DW on Friday and made available to TheNiche on Saturday, Amaechi dismissed the crisis as a struggle for financial control rather than governance. He criticised Nigerians for not demanding accountability from both political figures.
“The fight between the current governor of Rivers State and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what’s the quarrel?” he questioned. “Nigerians don’t dislike corruption again. I’ve not seen anybody on the street querying what the problem is. Can both of them speak to the public and tell us what the problem is about?”
His comments follow President Bola Tinubu’s March 18 decision to impose a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State. The move saw Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly suspended, with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) appointed as Sole Administrator. The president cited political instability and pipeline sabotage as justification.
Amaechi condemned the decision, arguing that it established a dangerous precedent where governors could be removed at will. He described the situation as a political struggle between Tinubu and Wike, with Fubara caught in the crossfire.
“The president wants a power grab. They want to frighten governors who may not support them in 2027,” he asserted.
He also questioned the rationale for emergency rule, pointing out that other regions facing serious security threats have not faced similar measures.
“If the president said it is because of insecurity, because they blew the pipeline, what about parts of the country where there is insecurity? Is the president saying they should impose emergency rule on him too?” he asked.
Amaechi insisted that security responsibilities rest with the president, not state governors, and argued that Fubara was being unfairly targeted.
“Rivers governor has no security responsibility; it rests squarely on the president. So why punish a man who did not commit an offence?” he asked.
The ex-governor urged Rivers residents to oppose Tinubu’s decision through democratic resistance, warning that the emergency rule undermines constitutional governance.
