Rufai Oseni to Tinubu: Festering Rivers crisis will signal presidential weakness

Prominent Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against allowing the planned impeachment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to proceed, warning that such an outcome would reflect poorly on the President’s authority and leadership within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oseni, in a strongly worded post shared on his Facebook page, argued that the impeachment of Governor Fubara would amount to an indictment of President Tinubu’s ability to protect governors elected on the platform of the APC.

According to him, the development would further expose cracks within the party and undermine claims that federal intervention in Rivers State was intended to restore stability.

“If Fubara is impeached, then it’s a big indictment on President Tinubu’s ability to protect APC governors,” Oseni wrote.

He also questioned the justification previously offered by government officials for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, noting that the continued impeachment process contradicts claims that the intervention was meant to safeguard the governor.

“For those government officials that say the state of emergency was to save Fubara, that argument has been nullified by this impeachment notice,” he stated.

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Oseni observed that despite the extraordinary federal measures, peace and reconciliation have not been achieved in the state, adding that the impeachment move shows that the crisis remains unresolved.

“Despite the state of emergency, no peace and settlement. President Tinubu’s state of emergency didn’t save Fubara because an impeachment is still going ahead,” he said.

Assessing the political power play in the ongoing Rivers crisis, the journalist suggested that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appears to be gaining the upper hand.

“One thing is certain currently: Wike is leading in this fight. Wike 100, President Tinubu 50,” Oseni remarked.

He further raised critical questions about the President’s next move and the broader political implications of the crisis, including whether Tinubu would openly support Fubara, the role of the state’s Chief Judge, and the fate of existing court orders.

Oseni also hinted at possible political realignments, questioning whether Wike could eventually work against President Tinubu or even align with the opposition if the standoff escalates.

“Will President Tinubu be able to save Fubara from Wike? Will President Tinubu side with Fubara? Will the Chief Judge go ahead with the process? Will the court order hold? Will Wike work against Tinubu and probably join the opposition? Time will tell,” he concluded.

The comments have added fresh momentum to national debates over the Rivers State political crisis, the balance of power within the APC, and President Tinubu’s role as the party’s leader amid deepening internal tensions.