The Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Femi Otubanjo, has expressed concern over the political treatment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, warning that the situation could pose serious political consequences for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Otubanjo made the statement on Thursday while speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
During the programme, he criticised the growing influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the political affairs of Rivers State and the APC despite not being a member of the ruling party.
According to Otubanjo, the political crisis involving Governor Fubara remains one of the most shocking developments in Nigeria’s democratic history.
According to Arise TV, he argued that the level of control allegedly exercised by Wike within the APC in Rivers State raises serious concerns about internal democracy and political fairness.
“The treatment of Siminalayi Fubara must be one of the American wonders of Nigerian politics,” Otubanjo said. “Fubara has been badly treated.
We now have a situation where Nyesom Wike, who is not even in the APC, is taking the primary decisions in the APC.”
The research expert further warned that the ongoing developments in Rivers State could become dangerous for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu politically if not properly managed.
According to him, the current situation suggests that Wike may be pursuing his own political interests rather than working in alignment with Tinubu’s broader agenda.
Otubanjo also advised the President’s political strategists to pay close attention to the developments in Rivers State, stressing that sidelining Governor Fubara could deepen divisions within the ruling party ahead of future elections.
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