Port Harcourt, Rivers State — In a dramatic twist to the ongoing political power struggle in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s faction has boycotted the recent local government elections, a move that has allowed his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to reclaim his political dominance at the grassroots level.
The election, conducted on Saturday by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), was boycotted by Governor Fubara’s camp. This absence at the polls paved the way for a decisive victory for allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who swept the chairmanship positions in 20 out of the 23 Local Government Areas. The outcome is a significant reversal of fortune for the governor and solidifies Wike’s re-established influence in the state.
The election was held to resolve a prolonged political crisis that had torn the state apart. Last year, at the height of the dispute, Governor Fubara’s loyalists had conducted a local government election where they secured a near-total victory. However, that election was nullified by the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025.
In its unanimous judgment, the apex court invalidated the earlier poll, upholding a Federal High Court ruling that had restrained RSIEC from holding the elections due to an outdated voter register. This ruling created the legal opening for the new polls, which Governor Fubara’s side chose not to contest.
With the new election results, Nyesom Wike has successfully recaptured a key power base, a crucial development that is expected to reshape the political dynamics of Rivers State.
