Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has alleged that the ongoing political crisis in the state is primarily about financial control, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike of fighting over money-sharing rather than governance.
Speaking in an interview with DW on Friday, March 28, 2025, Amaechi criticized the lack of public scrutiny over the conflict, saying, “The fight between the current governor of Rivers State and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what’s the quarrel? Nigerians don’t dislike corruption again. I’ve not seen anybody on the street querying what the problem is.”
His comments come after President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) was appointed as Sole Administrator, with Tinubu citing political instability and pipeline vandalism as justification for the decision.
However, Amaechi condemned the move, calling it a dangerous precedent that allows governors to be removed at will. He described it as a power struggle between the president 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 claimed.
Amaechi also questioned why a state of emergency was declared in Rivers while other states facing serious security challenges have not received similar treatment.
“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.
He argued that security issues are the president’s responsibility, not the governor’s, and that Fubara is being unfairly punished.
“Rivers governor has no security responsibility; it rests squarely on the president. So why punish a man who did not commit an offence?” Amaechi added.
He urged Rivers residents to oppose Tinubu’s decision through democratic protests, warning that the emergency rule threatens constitutional governance.
