Introduction to the Crisis
The political crisis in Rivers State is deepening, with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accusing the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of abandoning the party amid unresolved agreements and political tensions. Factional chairman of the party in Rivers State, Nname Ewor, alleged that Governor Fubara deceived party members into believing he could wrest political control from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, only to defect to the APC at a critical moment.
Background to the Crisis
The Abuja Inquirer gathered that Ewor told journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, that rather than pursue peace after the emergency rule, the governor had been boasting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would force the State House of Assembly to pass the budget and even compel Wike to support his reelection. Ewor, who openly aligned himself with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, alleged that the governor withheld critical details about his agreements during peace negotiations led by President Bola Tinubu.
Demand for Disclosure
Ewor insisted that Rivers people deserve full disclosure of all commitments made by the governor before the lifting of the emergency rule. He maintained that Fubara’s actions “affect all those whose mandate he is holding.” In his words, “The mandate he (Fubara) is holding was given to him by Rivers people, and all his actions and inactions affect all those whose mandate he is holding. Therefore, it is incumbent on him at this material time to fully disclose to Rivers people all the agreement he entered into in a peace deal brokered by the president of the Federation before the Emergency Rule was lifted.”
Events Leading to the State of Emergency
While recalling the events leading to the state of emergency in March 2025, the factional chairman said, “First, you will agree with me that the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, was elected by Rivers people for a period of four years. Within his first one year in office, there was a disagreement between him and the members of the State House of Assembly. This disagreement led to the bombing of the hallowed Chambers of the Assembly.” The events of this disagreement and bombing of the Assembly led to a peace pact brokered by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. This agreement broke down, plunging the state into a protracted political crisis, culminating in a declaration of a State of Emergency.
Governor’s Defection to APC
Speaking on the Governor’s defection to the APC, Ewor said, “During the period of the Emergency Rule, another round of peace pact was brokered by the President of the Federal Republic. Unlike the previous peace pact, where an eight-point agenda was signed, the current peace pact was not documented and Rivers people were not on the know. Again, the peace agreement between the Governor, the FCT Minister, and the State House of Assembly collapsed. This led to the defection of the Governor from the PDP to the APC in December 2025.” As a political party, they challenged the Declaration of the State of Emergency in the Supreme Court to protect their mandate. Today, the Governor has taken their mandate to the All Progressive Congress, which with all intent and purpose is not proper.
PDP’s 2025 National Convention
Ewor also addressed the PDP’s 2025 national convention in Ibadan and the formation of the current Rivers State Caretaker Committee, which he leads. “The second issue I want to educate the public is the Peoples Democratic Party PDP elective Convention 2025 Ibadan. Our Constitution provides for a National Convention every four years. First to elect new executives to pilot the affairs of the Party over the next four years. Second, to formulate policies to guide the operations of the party. As at the time of the Convention in November 2025, our Governor, was still a member of our dear Party and one of our Governor. All the activities leading to the Convention happened under his watch and direction. Rivers State Delegation to the Convention was led by my humble self and we fully participated in the Convention. But for personal reasons not known to me, The Governor did not attend the convention. It was at the Ibadan Convention that the Rivers State Executive Committee of our dear Party was dissolved.
Constitution of the Caretaker Committee
On the constitution of the caretaker committee, he said, “Following the dissolution of the State Executive Committee of our dear Party, at the Ibadan Convention, the National Working Committee (NWC) of our dear Party in December 2025 constituted the current Caretaker Committee of our dear party led by my humble self.” Members into the Caretaker Committee were duly nominated by the leadership of our great Party in the State including, Prince Uche Secondus, a former National Chairman of our great Party PDP, Rt. Hon Austen Opara, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abiye Sekibo, a former Minister, Celestine Omeha, a former Governor of our dear state and Senator Lee Maeba, a former Senator of the Federal Republic, including my humble self, Alalibo Graham Braide and Dr. Field Nkor, who came from the Governor’s team.
Recent Developments and Demands
He criticized Fubara over his handling of agreements with Wike, highlighting the minister’s recent local government tours, “Over the past one week, the FCT Minister has embarked on a thank you visit to the 23 Local Government Areas of the State. His intention, according to him, is to thank the people of the State for their support during the 2023 General Elections for the Peoples Democratic Party, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic. He also used the occasion to solicit for their continued support. During his speeches in the different Local Government Areas, the FCT Minister made some remarks about our Governor and he has been very consistent about it i.e., keeping to agreements, etc. The FCT Minister said, before the Emergency rule in Rivers State was lifted, that the Governor agreed not to run for a second term, to reinstate Ohna Sergeant Awuse as Chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers, drop Tammy Danagogo as Secretary to the State Government, and Edison Ehie as Chief of Staff, etc. That the Governor has refused to keep all the terms of the agreement.” Ewor stressed the need for full transparency, “These issues should not have bothered us because the Governor is no longer a member of our political party, as to the question of a second term, first it is exclusive to the Governor, Second, and that of a political party. But as citizens of the State, and Stakeholders, who are directly impacted by every activity in the State, we therefore demand that, the Governor Siminalayi Fubara, address Rivers people, Nigerians and indeed the world at large on all the agreements reached with the FCT Minister, the State House of Assembly, in a peace deal brokered by the President.”
Conclusion
The crisis in Rivers State has been ongoing, with the governor’s defection to the APC and the formation of a caretaker committee in the PDP. The factional chairman, Nname Ewor, has demanded full disclosure of the agreements made by the governor during the peace negotiations. The situation remains unresolved, with the governor’s actions affecting the people of Rivers State and the stakeholders involved.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current political crisis in Rivers State about?
A: The crisis is about the governor’s defection to the APC and the formation of a caretaker committee in the PDP, with demands for full disclosure of agreements made during peace negotiations. - Q: Who is the factional chairman of the PDP in Rivers State?
A: The factional chairman is Nname Ewor. - Q: What is the governor’s stance on running for a second term?
A: According to the FCT Minister, the governor agreed not to run for a second term as part of the peace agreement, but this has been disputed. - Q: What is the demand of the PDP faction?
A: The demand is for the governor to disclose all agreements reached with the FCT Minister and the State House of Assembly during the peace deal brokered by the President.
