Rivers PDP defends Fubara, slams Wike amid election crisis
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fiercely defended Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid escalating tensions following the local government elections held on October 5, 2024. This comes in response to accusations from Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and former Rivers governor, who criticized Fubara’s decision to proceed with the elections despite a Federal High Court ruling that attempted to halt the process.
Wike, in a recent interview on Channels TV, expressed discontent, claiming the elections violated a Federal High Court judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu. The ruling had stated that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) failed to provide the mandatory 90-day notice before the election date and prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supplying the voter register. Nevertheless, Governor Fubara defied the court’s ruling and pushed forward with the elections, sparking significant unrest and violent clashes between factions loyal to Wike and Fubara.
The tensions escalated into arson attacks on government properties, including the burning of the Ikwerre Local Government Secretariat, further heightening the crisis in Rivers State. Despite the violence and legal contention, the PDP rallied around Fubara, lauding him for his stance on the election and criticizing Wike’s efforts to undermine the democratic process.
Sydney Gbara, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, strongly rebuked Wike for his remarks, asserting that the former governor should seek legal redress if he was dissatisfied with the election’s outcome. “No court judgement can stop an electoral process,” Gbara declared in a statement. “If you are not okay with an election, you can approach the court after it is conducted.” He also noted that Governor Fubara’s determination to hold the elections aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 peace proclamation, suggesting that Wike’s opposition was ironic given his past advocacy for peace and order.
Gbara further commended Fubara, declaring him a “hero” for upholding democracy under challenging circumstances. “Innocent people were killed in cold blood, all in a bid to frustrate the electoral process,” Gbara said. “The truth is that they came too late because Rivers people have decided to move on with Fubara.”
The local government elections have highlighted deep-seated political rifts within Rivers State, with Wike and Fubara at the center of the growing discord. What was initially a legal disagreement over the timing and procedural aspects of the election has now erupted into a broader political battle, with both sides accusing each other of undermining democracy.
As the dust settles from the violent clashes and political infighting, the future of Rivers politics remains uncertain. Governor Fubara has emerged with the full backing of the PDP, but the controversy surrounding the elections and Wike’s vocal opposition signal ongoing tensions in the region. For now, Rivers State remains a political battleground as the PDP tries to navigate the fallout from the elections and restore stability.
