End of the road for Wike as Fubara consolidates hold on Rivers

The once blossoming romance between former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the people of the state may have ended in acrimonious circumstances as the youths have turned against him in the political showdown between him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

This much was demonstrated on Tuesday when the youths of Obio Akpor local government area where Wike comes from, chased out the Caretaker Chairman who refused to vacate office at the expiration of his tenure.

To further show that they were tired of the Wike era, the youths went further to destroy a statue of the FCT Minister which was erected at the headquarter council.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has taken a step forward in consolidating a hold on power in the state by swearing in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state.

The swearing-in was done on Wednesday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital amid tight security.

The swearing-in comes a day after he forwarded the list to the state House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo.

READ ALSO: Rivers political crisis: Fubara raves as Wike likely retreats (7)

It will be recalled that the lawmakers had invited the nominees for screening as early as 8am on Wednesday.

The swearing in of caretaker chairmen adds another twist to the political crisis in the state months after the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law.

Though Fubara refused to assent to the bill, the lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule vetoed it.

The law empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure.

But a court nullified the amended law, prompting an appeal. The appeal court is set to deliver a ruling on the matter on June 20, 2024.