Former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has organized a dinner reception for suspended Rivers State House of Assembly members currently in the United Kingdom for what they describe as a “legislative capacity building” program.
The gathering, which took place on Monday, was publicly confirmed through social media by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media. “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner,” Olayinka announced on X (formerly Twitter).
This dinner comes amid significant political turmoil in Rivers State, where President Bola Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency on March 18, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly. The administration of the state has been temporarily placed under Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), a former Chief of Naval Staff, who will serve as sole administrator for an initial six-month period.
Wike departed Nigeria just one day before the dinner, on Sunday, after reportedly meeting with political allies in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The suspended lawmakers in attendance were led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who reportedly launched the 10th Rivers Assembly Legislative Tour last Friday. According to reports, Amaewhule stated that the purpose of the UK trip was to expose assembly members to global legislative practices and enhance their effectiveness as lawmakers.
The political situation in Rivers has become increasingly complex over recent months, with deep divisions emerging between Wike and his successor, Governor Fubara. What began as political differences has escalated into a full-blown governance crisis that ultimately prompted federal intervention.
Political analysts view this dinner meeting as potentially significant given the current suspension of both the lawmakers and the governor they had been in conflict with. The timing of this gathering – occurring outside Nigeria’s borders while the state remains under emergency rule – has raised questions about ongoing political maneuvering despite the federal government’s intervention.
The lawmakers’ decision to proceed with their UK trip despite their suspended status has drawn attention from political observers. Critics question the appropriateness of conducting international “capacity building” activities while technically relieved of their official duties. Others suggest that maintaining these professional development activities signals their expectation of eventually returning to their positions.
Rivers State has been a focal point of political tension since the fallout between Wike and Fubara became public. Wike, who handpicked Fubara as his successor before being appointed to the federal cabinet by President Tinubu, has remained an influential figure in Rivers politics despite his current role as FCT Minister.
The state’s political crisis reached its peak when the state assembly, largely comprised of lawmakers loyal to Wike, attempted to impeach Governor Fubara. This led to a series of confrontations, including a controversial incident where part of the assembly complex was demolished, allegedly to prevent impeachment proceedings. The governor subsequently presented the state’s budget to a minority of lawmakers loyal to him after the majority had initiated impeachment proceedings against him.
President Tinubu had previously attempted to broker peace between the warring factions, but the political situation continued to deteriorate, ultimately leading to the declaration of a state of emergency. The appointment of a sole administrator effectively suspended the democratic governance structure in the state, an extraordinary measure rarely implemented in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
The dinner in the UK might signal continuing political coordination among Wike’s allies despite the federal intervention. Political commentators suggest that the gathering demonstrates Wike’s ongoing influence over this faction of Rivers politicians, even as they navigate their suspended status.
For Rivers citizens, the protracted political crisis has raised concerns about governance and development in the oil-rich state. Many fear that important public projects and services may suffer amid the political uncertainty, while others worry about the precedent set by federal intervention in state-level political disputes.
As Vice Admiral Ibas begins his tenure as administrator, questions remain about how the political situation will evolve and whether reconciliation between the competing factions is possible. The federal government has indicated that the emergency measures are temporary, but no clear roadmap for returning to normal democratic governance has been announced.
The dinner in the UK, while seemingly a routine social gathering, symbolizes the continuing alignment of political forces despite the federal intervention. As Wike maintains connections with his political allies abroad, Rivers State residents await clarity on how and when regular democratic governance will resume in their state.
