Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Chisom Gbali, has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is behind a calculated plot to prolong the state of emergency recently declared in Rivers State.
Gbali made the claim while speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, accusing Wike and his political allies of deliberately orchestrating unrest in the state to trigger an extension of the emergency rule.
“There is a plan to incite more problems before the six-month duration elapses. The aim is to push President Bola Tinubu into making another pronouncement that will extend the emergency rule,” Gbali stated.
President Tinubu had earlier declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following intelligence reports alleging that militants were plotting to sabotage oil installations in the region.
As part of the declaration, Governor Siminalayi Fubara was suspended for six months and a sole administrator was appointed to oversee the state.
Gbali, however, suggested that the posture and decisions of the sole administrator indicate a wider political scheme. “They are suspending boards, parastatals, and setting aside all ongoing projects. These are not the actions of someone sent to restore peace,” he argued.
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He also disclosed that plans were underway to impose a sole administrator across local government areas, pointing to what he described as an attempt by Wike and his loyalists—including some members of the state assembly and former council chairmen—to hijack governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The issue of Rivers State is clearly between the former governor and the current governor,” Gbali said. “We are concerned that the FCT Minister is deeply involved in these affairs while other regions facing greater challenges are being ignored.”
He warned that any move to extend the state of emergency could further destabilize the state and derail the democratic process.
The Rivers crisis has continued to generate national attention, with recent interventions from the Supreme Court and mounting reactions from political and civil society groups across the country.