Wike Slams Fubara’s Letter to Rivers Assembly, Calls It ‘Useless’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s letter to the Rivers State House of Assembly as “useless,” criticizing the approach taken to address the Supreme Court’s verdict on the state’s political crisis.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, questioned the political judgment behind sending a formal letter instead of using direct communication.
“You’ve had a tense relationship with an arm of government, yet you think writing a letter is the solution? A letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG)? That’s an insult! Is that how politics is done?” Wike remarked.
He accused Fubara of merely putting on a public show rather than making a sincere attempt to resolve issues, saying, “All these letters are useless. You are not being sincere; you’re just playing to the gallery.”
Wike also insisted that Speaker Martins Amaewhule and his fellow lawmakers are not under Fubara’s control and should be treated with respect. With over 20 Assembly members backing Wike, he argued that Fubara should have engaged them directly instead of issuing a formal invitation.
“If you genuinely want dialogue, you don’t send a letter through official channels like a bureaucrat. You pick up the phone, call the Speaker, and set a meeting. That’s how real politics works,” he added.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered several rulings affecting Rivers State’s governance. A five-man panel led by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye dismissed Fubara’s appeal questioning the legitimacy of Speaker Amaewhule and the House of Assembly, ordering them to resume legislative duties immediately.
The apex court also issued financial restrictions on Rivers State, barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other government agencies from disbursing funds until the state government complies with court orders.
Additionally, the Supreme Court nullified the local government elections conducted in Rivers State on October 5, 2024. Following the ruling, Fubara vowed to implement the court’s decisions, directing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to organize a fresh local government election, now scheduled for August 9, 2025.
In a letter dated March 7, 2025, Rivers’ Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, requested a meeting with the Assembly on March 10, 2025, to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and initiate peace talks. However, the lawmakers rejected the approach, insisting that the governor must follow proper channels.
The political standoff between Fubara and the Assembly continues, with no clear resolution in sight. As tensions rise, all eyes remain on how both sides navigate the state’s governance crisis in the coming weeks.