Gladness Gideon
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticized the recent letter sent by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the state House of Assembly, seeking an audience with lawmakers over the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on the political affairs of the state.
Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, described the letter as “useless” during a chat with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
Wike questioned the sincerity of Governor Fubara’s approach, suggesting that as a seasoned politician, he should have handled the matter differently.
“You have had a frosty relationship with an arm of the government. If you are a good politician, will you go and write a letter? Is it by writing a letter signed by the SSG? What an insult! Is that how it is done?” Wike remarked, expressing his frustration with the manner in which Fubara had tried to engage the lawmakers.
He further dismissed the letter as a mere public relations move, accusing the governor of attempting to play to the gallery.
“All these letters are useless, you are not sincere, you are playing to the gallery,” Wike said, emphasizing that such actions do not reflect the true intentions of a politician seeking genuine dialogue.
The Rivers PDP stalwart also took issue with the governor’s approach in dealing with Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, most of whom remain loyal to him.
“Amaewhule and the lawmakers are not Fubara’s boys. They should be treated with respect,” Wike insisted, adding that the governor’s attempt to engage the Assembly through a public letter was inappropriate.
Instead, Wike suggested that Fubara should have directly contacted Speaker Amaewhule and the lawmakers by phone to arrange a more private and respectful meeting.
“Instead of sending a public letter, Fubara should have called Amaewhule and his team to agree on a date and time for a meeting,” he stated.
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The controversy stems from the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on February 28, 2025, which dealt a significant blow to Governor Fubara’s administration. The Court dismissed Fubara’s appeal challenging the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. In its ruling, the apex court ordered Amaewhule and other elected members of the House to immediately resume their duties.
In addition, the Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other federal agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State government, citing the state’s flagrant disobedience to previous court orders. The Court also invalidated the October 5, 2024, local government elections in the state, which had been conducted under Fubara’s administration.
In response to the judgment, Governor Fubara vowed to fully implement the Supreme Court’s decisions, including organizing a fresh local government election. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) subsequently announced that the new election would be held on August 9, 2025.
In line with the Supreme Court’s order, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, sent a letter to the House of Assembly on March 7, 2025, requesting a meeting to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 state budget and to initiate peace talks. The invitation proposed a meeting for March 10, 2025, but the Assembly rejected it, advising the governor to properly channel his invitation.
As tensions between the governor and the state legislature continue to escalate, Wike’s remarks reflect the ongoing political divisions within the state. With the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment still pending, the path to resolution appears fraught with challenges.