posted 13th March 2025
Political Turmoil in Rivers State Escalates as Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Controversy
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – A deepening political crisis in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn, with a contentious Supreme Court ruling igniting fierce debate over the rule of law, judicial integrity, and the influence of powerful political figures. The saga pits current Governor Siminalayi Fubara against his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in a struggle that threatens to destabilise not only the oil-rich state but potentially the wider nation.
The trouble began when a group of legislators, allegedly loyal to Wike and beneficiaries of his patronage, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Under Nigerian law, such a move should automatically cost them their seats in the state parliament, as the constitution stipulates that lawmakers who abandon the party on whose platform they were elected forfeit their positions unless there is a clear division within their original party—a condition that does not appear to apply here. Governor Fubara, seeking to maintain governance amid the chaos, opted to work with the four remaining lawmakers who stayed loyal to the PDP.
However, the matter took an unexpected twist when the Supreme Court, despite the case still pending at the Court of Appeal, intervened with an unsolicited ruling. In a per curiam decision—delivered without formal invitation—the apex court ordered Fubara to collaborate with the defected legislators, effectively legitimising their positions despite the ongoing legal challenge. Critics have branded this move as judicial overreach, likening the court to an "uninvited guest" or a "Father Christmas" dispensing dubious gifts.
The ruling has drawn the Tinubu administration into the fray, with the government now preaching the virtues of respecting the "rule of law" based on what many see as a questionable judgement. This stance has raised uncomfortable questions: Does the rule of law extend to dubious or corrupt rulings by disingenuous judges? Should suspect judicial decisions be upheld as supreme, or does true adherence to legal principles demand sound, impartial verdicts? Sceptics argue that the administration’s invocation of the rule of law rings hollow, accusing it of mischief and selective application to shield political allies.
At the heart of the controversy is Nyesom Wike, whose influence looms large over Rivers State politics. Critics question why the Tinubu regime permits Wike to stoke unrest in the state, pointing fingers at Fubara instead of addressing the root cause. Wike’s loyalists, now embedded in the APC, appear to enjoy tacit support from the federal government, further fuelling allegations of bias and political meddling.
The Supreme Court’s intervention has only intensified the mayhem brewing in Rivers State. Analysts warn that the escalating tensions could precipitate a breakdown of law and order, with ripple effects extending beyond the state’s borders. Rivers, a key economic hub due to its oil wealth, is a linchpin in Nigeria’s stability, and any descent into chaos could have national repercussions.
So, what is the way forward? For now, the path remains unclear. Legal experts argue that the defection case must be allowed to run its course through the proper judicial channels, without premature interference from the Supreme Court. Others call for the Tinubu administration to rein in Wike and adopt a neutral stance, prioritising the state’s stability over political gamesmanship. Governor Fubara, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of governing with a fractured legislature and a federal government that appears less than sympathetic.
As Rivers State teeters on the brink, Nigerians are left to ponder whether the rule of law can withstand the weight of dubious rulings and political intrigue—or whether it risks becoming a hollow slogan in a nation grappling with corruption and division. The stakes could not be higher, and the resolution of this crisis may well shape the future of governance in Africa’s most populous country.
