# Rivers State political leadership disputes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rivers-state-political-leadership-disputes
> Updated: 2026-09-02T11:10:38.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 2.

Political tensions in Rivers State have intensified due to ongoing disputes involving key political figures, including Nyesom Wike, Rotimi Amaechi, and Siminalayi Fubara. Initial reports highlighted clashes over leadership and ethnic representation. Samuel Nwanosike, a Wike loyalist, issued threats regarding the 2027 elections and accused Amaechi of failing to benefit the Ikwerre people. Concurrently, Udengs Eradiri of the Ijaw Youths Council Worldwide characterized the rift between Wike and Governor Fubara as an internal party matter rather than an ethnic struggle, noting that Wike had not consulted the Ijaw community before selecting Fubara as his successor. Wike publicly criticized Amaechi, alleging that the former governor’s previous decision to shut down state courts for nearly two years led to severe consequences. Wike also addressed national economic issues, defending the autonomy of state and local governments to manage increased revenue allocations resulting from fuel subsidy removal, arguing that the federal government lacks the authority to dictate such spending. During a media engagement in Port Harcourt, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reaffirmed his commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, stating he is prepared for “political retaliation” from opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, noting he expects to be a “primary target” if Tinubu loses. Wike also accused the governors of Imo and Kwara states of working against his interests and criticized the Nigerian Bar Association leadership for prioritizing politics over the legal profession. He further questioned Rotimi Amaechi’s suitability for the vice presidency, citing his past actions involving the judiciary. Regarding infrastructure, Wike reported that 76 out of 107 capital projects commissioned under the Tinubu administration in the FCT have been completed and noted that 29 out of 33 inherited infrastructure projects in the FCT are finished.

## Claims

- Wike stated his current political activities are focused on securing President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Wike expects to be a primary political target if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 election to Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Wike accused the Nigerian Bar Association leadership of acting as a political party rather than a professional body. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Wike stated that the President lacks the authority to direct how states and local governments spend revenue from fuel subsidy removal. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A director of the Federal Capital Development Authority was suspended for allegedly granting illegal building approvals on Abuja waterways. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Wike accused Kwara Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of leading a campaign against him. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Wike criticized Rotimi Amaechi, claiming his past actions of shutting down courts in Rivers State make him unfit for the vice presidency. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Wike reported that 29 out of 33 inherited projects from previous administrations in the FCT have been completed. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Nyesom Wike pledges support for Tinubu and criticizes political opponents

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu for 2027, warned of political retaliation, accused certain governors and the NBA of opposition, and suspended an FCDA official over illegal's

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nyesom-wike-criticizes-amaechi-and-defends-subsidy-revenue-autonomy

### 2026-08-11: Rivers State political tensions escalate amid Wike and Amaechi disputes

Political friction persists in Rivers State as loyalists of Nyesom Wike challenge Rotimi Amaechi, while leaders clarify that the Wike-Fubara dispute is a party matter rather than an Ijaw ethnic struggle.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rivers-state-political-tensions-escalate-amid-wike-and-amaechi-disputes

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Cite as: Rivers State political leadership disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rivers-state-political-leadership-disputes