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Rivers politics: HURIWA criticises Fubara’s APC exit, calls for united opposition bloc
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as an act of political surrender and a troubling sign of deepening godfatherism in the state.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of allegedly maintaining overwhelming political control over Rivers State through intimidation and coercion.
HURIWA argued that Governor Fubara’s explanation that he stepped down from the APC primary race in the interest of “peace and unity” failed to address what it described as the worsening suppression of democratic freedoms in Rivers State.
According to the rights group, Rivers State has gradually become a political battleground where elected officials allegedly operate under fear and pressure from entrenched political interests.
The association stated that if Governor Fubara truly believed in the electoral mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State, he should have remained in the race and allowed the democratic process to take its course rather than withdrawing at the final stage and pledging support to what the group described as a politically predetermined arrangement.
HURIWA further claimed that the governor’s withdrawal had reinforced widespread fears that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party structures in Rivers State were allegedly under the influence of a single political figure.
The group warned that whoever eventually emerges as governorship candidate from either party could end up serving as a political surrogate loyal to Wike instead of representing the interests of Rivers people.
As a result, HURIWA called for an immediate coalition of opposition political parties and democratic groups across the state.
The association urged opposition parties, labour unions, civil society organisations, youth groups, women associations, student movements, professionals, and other stakeholders to collapse their structures into a united political front capable of challenging what it described as the “Wike political machinery.”
“HURIWA believes that the era of fragmented opposition politics in Rivers State is over. Any opposition party contesting separately under the present circumstances would only divide resistance votes and strengthen entrenched political interests,” the statement said.
The rights group also alleged that the political crisis in Rivers State had gone beyond party rivalry between the APC and the PDP and had become a struggle to free the state from external political control and economic exploitation allegedly backed by powerful allies of Wike and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
HURIWA additionally revisited the political turmoil that followed the controversial removal of Governor Fubara, condemning what it described as the unconstitutional imposition of an interim military-style administration in the state.
The association questioned the management of public funds during the six-month period, demanding accountability and transparency over billions of naira allegedly spent without legislative oversight or independent audit.
According to HURIWA, Rivers residents deserve a full account of how public resources were utilised, including details of contracts awarded, approvals granted, and expenditures made during the disputed period of governance.
The group expressed concern that despite the economic hardship facing many residents, no official had allegedly been held accountable for the expenditure of public funds during the controversial administration arrangement.
HURIWA further described Governor Fubara as politically weakened and increasingly viewed by observers as a lame-duck governor unable to independently defend the mandate entrusted to him by Rivers voters.
The association warned that history would judge harshly those who remained silent while Rivers State was allegedly subjected to political intimidation and federal influence.
It therefore called on all opposition leaders and democratic stakeholders in the state to immediately begin negotiations toward producing a single consensus governorship candidate ahead of future elections.
HURIWA also announced 12 noon on Thursday as what it termed the moral deadline for coalition talks to commence in the interest of restoring democratic accountability and rescuing Rivers State from political capture.