The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 Rivers State governorship election, Tonye Cole has expressed concern over the ongoing political struggle in the state between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. In an interview on National Television recently, Cole argued that the real victims of this power struggle are the people of Rivers State, as governance and development have come to a standstill.
The political rift between Fubara and Wike has led to a governance crisis, with the state’s legislative and executive arms deeply entangled in the conflict. Cole pointed out that the political infighting has overshadowed the needs of the citizens, leaving key issues of governance unattended. He highlighted that Rivers residents are suffering due to the political battle, as the state’s development projects have been stalled, impacting everyday life.
Cole’s remarks came in response to a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal, which upheld an earlier decision by the Federal High Court in Abuja that nullified the presentation and passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget. The legal ruling has deepened the political instability in the state, further complicating governance.
According to Cole, Governor Fubara is in an extremely difficult situation politically. The court’s ruling means that the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by APC’s Martins Amaewhule, is now recognized as the legitimate legislative body. This puts Fubara, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in a vulnerable position, as he could potentially face impeachment from a legislature dominated by a rival political party.
Cole explained that the state is currently being governed by three different political parties: the governor is from the PDP, the House of Assembly is controlled by the APC, and the local government structures are run by the Action People’s Party (APP). This political fragmentation has left Rivers State in a precarious situation, where governance is gridlocked, and the people are left without proper leadership or development progress.
Cole concluded by stating that the ongoing political conflict is primarily driven by a small group of elites within the political sphere, while the interests of the Rivers people have been sidelined. He emphasized that the situation would not have escalated to this level if the well-being of the citizens had been the primary focus of the political actors involved.
