A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has accused the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating a plot to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara with backing from the presidency.
Eze claimed that Wike is working to install Speaker Martins Amaewhule as the governor of Rivers State in a bid to consolidate political control ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Eze, who is a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, argued that Wike’s influence within the presidency is fueling the ongoing political crisis in the state.
“Wike, with the backing of the Presidency, is championing the plot to impeach Governor Fubara and install Amaewhule as governor,” Eze stated. “Clearly, Wike is capitalizing on his unholy political marriage to Tinubu to destabilize Rivers State and distract Governor Fubara. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that their stooge, Amaewhule, becomes governor, giving them control over Rivers politics heading into 2027.”
Eze further asserted that the impeachment plot would fail and instead strengthen Fubara’s position. “These evil and undemocratic plots to remove Fubara from office will fall like a pack of cards and will only make him stronger,” he said.
The APC stalwart also warned that President Bola Tinubu’s association with Wike could damage his own political reputation. “I have advised President Tinubu from the beginning that his romance with Wike will not only destroy APC but will stain his reputation as a democrat,” Eze added.
Explaining the dynamics of Rivers State politics, Eze pointed out that for 24 years, the state has been governed by leaders from the upland axis, including Dr. Peter Odili, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nyesom Wike. “Sir Fubara is the first governor from the riverine axis, and now, there is a plot to remove him prematurely,” Eze said. He warned that such a move would be seen as an attack on the Ijaw nation and other riverine ethnic groups in the state.
Eze also criticized the Amaewhule-led lawmakers, accusing them of undermining democracy. “Amaewhule and his bandwagon of defectors lack the legitimacy to order a sitting governor around. They have insulted and called Fubara unprintable names, not realizing that they are actually demeaning the office of the Governor of Rivers State,” he said.
Challenging Wike, Eze asked whether the former governor would have tolerated the same level of political sabotage if he were still in office. “If Wike were still governor, would anyone dare to treat him the way he is treating Fubara? Would he tolerate this level of political sabotage?” Eze queried.
He credited Fubara’s patience and wisdom for preventing the state from descending into chaos, saying, “If not for Fubara’s patience and wisdom, Wike and his enablers in the Presidency would have already seen what happens when you push people to the wall.”
Eze also took aim at the Amaewhule-led lawmakers for rejecting Fubara’s invitation to a peace meeting at the Government House, describing their refusal as a political masterstroke. “The world now knows who is truly interested in peace and who is hell-bent on causing political instability,” he said.
Eze concluded by urging the lawmakers to stop undermining the peace and progress of Rivers State, stating, “Rivers State is bigger than any individual. Those acting as if the state cannot move forward without them should take a step back and reflect.”