Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of engaging in a political battle over financial control, dismissing their ongoing feud as a struggle over money sharing rather than governance.
In a recent interview with DW, Amaechi sharply criticized the conflict, questioning why Nigerians have not demanded greater transparency from both political figures.
He argued that the quarrel is rooted in a battle for financial power, rather than concerns over good governance.
“The fight between the current governor of Rivers State and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what’s the quarrel?” Amaechi said. “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?”
Amaechi’s remarks come in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s decision on March 18, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The emergency rule led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire State House of Assembly, as President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator to oversee the state. The move, according to Tinubu, was prompted by political instability and pipeline vandalism.
In response, Amaechi condemned the imposition of emergency rule, labeling it a dangerous precedent that could allow governors to be removed at the president’s whim.
He characterized the situation as a political power struggle, with Fubara trapped in the crossfire between President Tinubu and Minister Wike.
“The president wants a power grab. They want to frighten governors who may not support them in 2027,” Amaechi claimed.
Amaechi also raised concerns over the rationale behind the emergency rule, pointing out that other regions facing severe security issues had not been subjected to similar actions.
He questioned why the government targeted Rivers State when other areas in the country were grappling with comparable or even worse security challenges.
“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?” Amaechi remarked.
Furthermore, Amaechi defended Fubara’s actions, stating that security matters fall under the purview of the federal government, not the state governor. He insisted that Fubara had not committed any offense to warrant his removal.
“Rivers governor has no security responsibility; it rests squarely on the president. So why punish a man who did not commit an offense?” Amaechi added.
