Rivers State Political Turmoil: A Comprehensive Timeline

The Root of the Political Strife in Rivers State

Naija News dives into the heart of the political storm rocking Rivers State, which has been brewing since October 2023. At the center of this drama are Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former boss, now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. These two heavyweights have been locked in a high-stakes battle for control over the state's political machinery, turning what should be a collaborative effort into a bitter rivalry.

From Bombings to Burnings: Escalating Tensions

On October 29, 2023, the situation took a dramatic turn when a portion of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was bombed, allegedly by arsonists. This shocking event added fuel to the already simmering tensions between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike. Just a day later, Wike’s allies in the legislature launched impeachment proceedings against Fubara, further polarizing the political landscape. While President Bola Tinubu attempted to mediate the conflict in late October, the fragile peace didn’t last long, and the feud continued to escalate.

Violence and Defections: A Recipe for Chaos

Fast forward to December 2023, and the political crisis deepened when 27 lawmakers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move sparked heated debates about the legality of their actions, with the Rivers State High Court eventually ruling that their seats were vacant. This decision ignited a flurry of legal battles that dragged on for months, creating uncertainty and instability in the state. Amidst all this turmoil, President Tinubu was compelled to declare a state of emergency to restore order and address the growing unrest.

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A Detailed Timeline of the Crisis

Let’s take a closer look at the key events that shaped this political saga:

October 2023: The Spark Ignites

On October 29, 2023, a section of the State House of Assembly Complex was set ablaze, allegedly by arsonists. This attack came just as an impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara was being planned. The following day, Wike’s supporters initiated impeachment proceedings, but President Tinubu’s mediation efforts failed shortly after. These early incidents set the tone for what would become a prolonged and intense political battle.

December 2023: Defections and Court Battles

The crisis reached new heights on December 11, 2023, when 27 pro-Wike lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC. This move was met with legal challenges, as a State High Court ruled that the defecting lawmakers’ seats were vacant. Governor Fubara then presented his N800 billion 2024 budget to a four-member assembly, which he signed into law on December 14, 2023. However, this move was not without controversy, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice resigned in protest.

January and February 2024: Further Turmoil

January brought more resignations, with nine Wike loyalists stepping down as commissioners. Despite these setbacks, Governor Fubara and Minister Wike signed a peace deal on January 18, 2024, brokered by President Tinubu. However, the impeachment notice against Fubara was withdrawn just two days later. The crisis seemed to ease temporarily when the factional speaker, Edison Ehie, resigned on December 31, 2023, and withdrew a contempt suit against pro-Wike lawmakers on January 4, 2024.

March and April 2024: Legal Setbacks

In March, the Rivers Assembly reconfirmed the nine pro-Wike commissioners who had resigned in December. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja struck down the state’s N800 billion budget on January 22, 2024, dealing another blow to Governor Fubara’s administration. The situation worsened when the Assembly stripped Fubara of the power to appoint caretaker committees for local government councils after rejecting his veto against their legislation. In April, Governor Fubara reshuffled his cabinet, but the redeployed commissioners rejected their new roles and resigned shortly afterward.

May and June 2024: Rising Tensions

May marked a turning point when Governor Fubara declared that Rivers had no functioning House of Assembly, creating further confusion. A three-member assembly emerged under Victor Oko-Jumbo, but this only deepened the political crisis. Fubara relocated legislative business to the Government House in Port Harcourt, and a State High Court barred Wike’s allies from claiming their legislative roles. By June, the governor had directed outgoing council officials to vacate their offices, inaugurated caretaker committees, and approved a N19.6 billion reconstruction budget for the damaged Assembly Complex.

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July and August 2024: Judicial Interventions

The Appeal Court in Abuja reinstated the pro-Wike lawmakers on July 4, reversing a lower court’s decision. Despite this, Governor Fubara vowed to probe Wike’s administration, and five more commissioners resigned. A State High Court nullified an amended local government law that extended council officials’ tenure, while Fubara ordered outgoing council officials to step down. Dynamite explosions near Hotel Presidential during a Wike solidarity protest added a dangerous new dimension to the conflict.

September and October 2024: Local Elections and Legal Challenges

September saw the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) ordered to conduct local elections using the 2023 voters’ register. However, a Federal High Court barred INEC from releasing the register to RSIEC and prohibited police from providing security for the elections. Despite these hurdles, Governor Fubara oversaw local elections where the All Progressives Party (APP) won in 22 councils, with Action Alliance claiming one. The Supreme Court later nullified these elections, affirming the pro-Wike lawmakers as the legitimate assembly members.

February 2025: The Supreme Court Weighs In

In February 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling, reinstating Amaewhule as speaker and nullifying the local elections organized by Fubara’s administration. The lawmakers gave the governor 48 hours to re-present the budget, but his efforts were thwarted when they denied him access to the assembly quarters. On March 18, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months, declaring a state of emergency to restore order in the state.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

The political crisis in Rivers State has been a rollercoaster of events, marked by violence, defections, and legal battles. While the suspension of Governor Fubara and the declaration of a state of emergency aim to bring stability, the road ahead remains uncertain. As the people of Rivers State watch and wait, one thing is clear: healing the deep divisions will require more than just legal and political interventions—it will take genuine reconciliation and a commitment to unity.