Introduction to the Crisis
A factional caretaker chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr Nname Ewor, has tasked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to disclose details of the peace deal he allegedly entered into with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Ewor said it was important for the governor to publicly disclose everything about the agreement brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he claimed paved the way for the lifting of the emergency rule in the state.
Background of the Peace Deal
According to him, Fubara misled party stakeholders into believing everything about the crisis had been settled, whilst the current scenario indicates otherwise. Ewor described it as ‘deception’ for the governor to make the residents and his party believe that he could wrest political control from Wike, only to later abandon the PDP “in the middle of a political sea”. He alleged that the governor travelled alone to Abuja and reached an understanding with the FCT minister and the Rivers State House of Assembly, under which he reportedly agreed not to seek a second term, to sack his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, remove the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, and reinstate Sergeant Awuse as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Failure to Honour the Agreement
Ewor blamed the renewed political tension in the state on what he described as Fubara’s failure to honour the alleged agreement. “Rather than follow the path of peace after the end of the emergency rule to ensure smooth governance, the governor began boasting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would force the House of Assembly to pass the budget and also compel Wike to work for his re-election,” he said. He recalled that after his reinstatement, Fubara retained Ehie, appointed Danagogo’s ally, Benibo Anabraba, as SSG, and has yet to reinstate Awuse.
Demand for Transparency
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Ewor insisted that Rivers people deserve to know the full content of the peace deal reached before the president. “The mandate Governor Fubara holds was given to him by the people of Rivers State. His actions and inactions affect everyone. Therefore, it is incumbent on him to fully disclose all agreements he entered into in a peace deal brokered by the president before the emergency rule was lifted,” he said.
History of the Crisis
Ewor traced the crisis to the rift between the governor and members of the State House of Assembly within his first year in office, which culminated in the bombing of the Assembly complex, a failed peace pact, and eventually the declaration of a state of emergency in March 2025. He said a second, undocumented peace deal was later brokered during the emergency rule but collapsed again, leading to Fubara’s defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025. “As a party, we challenged the declaration of the emergency rule in court to protect our mandate. Today, the governor has taken that mandate to the APC, which is improper,” he added.
Criticism of the Governor’s Actions
Ewor also criticised Fubara’s role during the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, noting that although Rivers State delegates participated under the governor’s watch, he failed to attend the convention, during which the state executive committee was dissolved. He further defended the legitimacy of the PDP caretaker committee constituted by the party’s National Working Committee in December 2025, stressing that its actions remain valid pending the outcome of ongoing litigation.
Recent Developments
On Wike’s recent thank-you tour of the 23 local government areas, Ewor said the FCT minister had consistently accused the governor of failing to keep to the terms of the peace agreement, including the alleged pledge not to seek re-election. While acknowledging that Fubara’s second-term ambition is now a matter for the APC, Ewor maintained that Rivers people must be informed of all agreements that affect governance and stability in the state.
Conclusion
The crisis in Rivers State is complex and multifaceted, with various factions and interests at play. The demand for transparency and accountability from Governor Fubara is a critical step towards resolving the crisis and ensuring the stability of the state. It is essential for the governor to disclose the details of the peace deal and to honour the agreements he made to prevent further tension and conflict.
FAQs
- Q: What is the nature of the crisis in Rivers State?
A: The crisis in Rivers State is a result of a rift between the governor and members of the State House of Assembly, which led to a declaration of a state of emergency and the governor’s defection from the PDP to the APC. - Q: What is the demand from the factional caretaker chairman of the PDP?
A: The demand is for Governor Fubara to disclose the details of the peace deal he allegedly entered into with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. - Q: Why is transparency important in this case?
A: Transparency is essential to ensure accountability and to prevent further tension and conflict in the state. It is also necessary for the people of Rivers State to make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
