By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
IN A MOVE that underpins the escalating tensions in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared his intention to launch an inquiry into the eight-year tenure of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
This announcement comes amid a simmering political crisis that shows no signs of abating.
Fubara made this declaration on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of Dagogo Israel Iboroma as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, and marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing power struggle gripping the region.
The decision to probe Wike’s administration represents a significant escalation in the rift between the two political figures. Wike, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023 before assuming the role of Federal Capital Territory Minister, has been accused of wielding undue influence and attempting to retain control over the state’s political landscape.
The appointment of Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to replace the former commissioner of justice, Zaccheus Adangor, further underscores the rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor. Adangor, a staunch ally of Wike, resigned from his position in April following a reassignment to the Ministry of Special Duties.
The political turmoil in Rivers State has been brewing for months, with tensions reaching a boiling point last year when lawmakers aligned with Wike initiated efforts to remove Fubara from office.
Since then, the state has been mired in a protracted standoff, with both sides refusing to back down.
Fubara’s announcement of a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the affairs of governance under Wike’s administration signifies a significant escalation in the conflict.
Despite expressing hope for a resolution to the internal discord, Fubara lamented the lack of progress in finding common ground.
Nevertheless, Fubara expressed optimism about the future, citing the establishment of a functional State House of Assembly and the appointment of a seasoned lawyer as Attorney General as positive developments for his administration. He urged Iboroma to approach his new role with courage and integrity, emphasizing the need for a fair and impartial investigation into past governance practices.
As Rivers State braces for what promises to be a contentious probe into its political past, the deepening crisis underscores the challenges facing its leadership and the precarious balance of power in the region.
