The tense dynamic between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, appears to be driven less by differences in policy or leadership style than by the unraveling of earlier expectations that failed to hold once power changed hands.
According to Premium Times, observers have noted that Wike was instrumental in paving the way for Fubara’s rise, seemingly anticipating that his influence would continue to shape the administration from behind the scenes.
Yet, as Fubara settled into office, it became clear that authority cannot be exerted remotely, and the presumed continuity quickly gave way to the realities of autonomous leadership.
Senior party figures have alluded to the informal understandings that tend to guide such transitions.
Ita Enang, a veteran party operative and former senator now nominated for an ambassadorial position, observed that once a governor assumes office, they naturally take on a central leadership role within the party at the state level, establishing their own authority in practice as much as in convention.
Drawing a direct parallel with the past, the former senator said: “Since Wike is a PDP member, let him choose the PDP governorship flagbearer, not that of the APC. Mr Wike is not a member of the APC and cannot decide who flies the APC governorship flag in Rivers.”
Mr Enang was blunt about boundaries: “Let him choose the PDP governorship flagbearer, not that of the All Progressives Congress. Even if he joins the All Progressives Congress today, he will be working under the governor.”
He urged the APC national leadership to organise a formal reception for Mr Fubara in Port Harcourt, saying such an event would help the party “ascertain the actual members of All Progressives Congress in the oil-rich state.” See More
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