A prominent Rivers State political voice, Annkio Briggs, has asserted that the state’s political and administrative life does not revolve around the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that Rivers can function independently without him.
Briggs made the remark on Thursday, the 22nd of January, 2026, during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television, where she addressed the deepening political crisis in the state.
Her comments came against the backdrop of mounting tension following the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Questioning the repeated reference to a supposed political pact, Briggs expressed frustration over what she described as persistent but unclear claims surrounding an “agreement” allegedly breached in the state’s political arrangement.
“What is it? He keeps talking about an agreement. What’s the agreement? Do you know the agreement that Nyesom Wike is shouting about? Agreement, agreement. Everybody is shouting, agreement, agreement. The lawmakers are shouting.
“His supporters are shouting, no Wike, no Rivers state. You can’t say that. How can you say that without one man (Wike) a state will not exist? Where is that political, and where is it acceptable?
“Well, it may be acceptable anywhere else. But I don’t think such is acceptable by the people of Rivers State. All I do know is that the majority of Rivers people are in support of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
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“His support is organic. And therefore, if Today he finds himself for whatever reasons, he has decided as the governor of River State to move to the APC to survive as a governor. The organic support he has is fully behind him.
“I may not be a member of APC, but I am a daughter of Rivers State, and when it comes to the elections in Rivers State, I know whom I’m going to vote for. It will depend on what the person is offering and the circumstances,” she said.
Briggs maintained that political loyalty in Rivers State should be driven by the will of the people rather than allegiance to any single individual, stressing that leadership legitimacy ultimately comes from popular support.