A public affairs analyst, Amilda Fraser, has described the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State as a strategic move to weaken the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the state.
According to Fraser, the emergency rule is also to shield Governor Siminalayi Fubara from impeachment.
In a statement on Friday, Fraser described Tinubu’s decision as a multifaceted strategy aimed at restoring order, safeguarding economic interests, and recalibrating the state’s political landscape.
She said, “It temporarily shields Governor Fubara from political threats while simultaneously diminishing former governor Wike’s influence, highlighting Tinubu’s adeptness in navigating complex political terrains.”
According to her, the move effectively stops the impeachment process initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly, allowing Fubara to regroup and strengthen his political base without immediate pressure from legislators loyal to Wike.
She further stated that the suspension of the Assembly, which has been largely controlled by Wike’s loyalists, significantly reduced the former governor’s ability to exert political influence over state affairs.
“With the legislative arm out of the picture, Wike’s political maneuvering within Rivers State is temporarily curtailed, indirectly checking his power.
“Additionally, rising security concerns, including incidents of pipeline vandalism—such as the recent fire on the Trans Niger Pipeline—have heightened fears over the state’s stability and economic security.
“With emergency rule in place, Governor Fubara now has a critical window to consolidate his political support and address internal divisions. Freed from immediate legislative threats, he can focus on governance, strengthening alliances, and implementing policies that could enhance his political standing ahead of the eventual return to normalcy,” said Fraser.
(PUNCH)
