Rivers Crisis: ‘I Hope The President Will Have The Courage To Remove Wike’

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Dickson Iroegbu, a notable figure in the ObiDient movement and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has voiced serious concerns over recent political tensions in Rivers State. He attributed the renewed impeachment attempts against Governor Siminalayi Fubara to what he sees as excessive interference orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and facilitated through Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

Iroegbu told Arise News that the Rivers State House of Assembly’s abrupt recall from recess was clearly planned to initiate impeachment proceedings against Fubara. “Charles, the abrupt return of the State Assembly from recess had only one objective—delivering that impeachment notice,” he remarked.

He suggested that Wike’s influence over Assembly members was evident in their actions and rhetoric. “Even the Speaker’s statements echoed the exact language of the FCT Minister, repeatedly calling Sim Fubara a mistake. You could easily tell it was Wike’s script being carried out by his loyalists,” Iroegbu explained.

No Sympathy for Either Side

Despite condemning the impeachment maneuver, Iroegbu made it clear he feels no allegiance to either political faction. “I honestly have no sympathy for either side. I do not pity Sim Fubara, and I equally feel no sorrow for Nyesom Wike, who now seems to be biting off more than he can handle,” he stated.

He criticized those who empowered Wike, arguing that the APC, with the President’s support, effectively enabled him to wield national influence. “I have no pity for those who created the political monster now known as Nyesom Wike. The APC, with the support of the President, empowered him and provided a platform that he has used to almost derail our democracy,” Iroegbu asserted.

Wike’s Role in APC Strategy

Iroegbu accused the APC of using Wike strategically to undermine the PDP, claiming that Wike now acts as if he controls political outcomes in Rivers State unilaterally. “They positioned him to weaken, disrupt, and nearly destroy the PDP. And now, after almost succeeding, he imagines himself greater than even the President,” he said.

He further highlighted Wike’s own statements as evidence of this perception of dominance. “If you listened to some of the interviews he granted and meetings he held in Rivers, he repeatedly claimed that nobody—not one person—can determine what happens in the state except him,” Iroegbu added.

The escalation, he warned, could expose systemic vulnerabilities within the APC. “What they created is now threatening to consume everyone involved,” he noted.

Call for Presidential Intervention

Iroegbu urged President Bola Tinubu to assert control and curtail Wike’s influence, emphasizing the need for clear leadership at the national level. “I hope the President will summon the courage to dismiss Nyesom Wike and make it clear that this country has only one President and Commander-in-Chief,” he said.

He argued that Wike’s political relevance has already diminished. “The President has already abandoned him. Wike has served his purpose, and unfortunately for him, he didn’t achieve the outcome he expected,” Iroegbu commented.

Political Implications for the PDP

Looking beyond the immediate crisis, Iroegbu suggested that the conflict could create opportunities for the opposition. “For us in the PDP, this messy confrontation is something we want to continue because it opens up the space for us to re-strategize and reclaim the country,” he said, expressing confidence that the situation will ultimately benefit the PDP in Rivers State.

He concluded with a forward-looking perspective, noting that political turbulence often reshapes power dynamics in favor of prepared opposition forces. “Absolutely, this situation will benefit the opposition, especially the PDP, when the dust finally settles,” Iroegbu affirmed.

Commentary: The Rivers State episode reflects a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where strategic deployments of influential figures like Wike can destabilize both intra-party and inter-party dynamics. Iroegbu’s observations underscore the delicate balance between state-level power plays and national political authority, highlighting the pivotal role the Presidency plays in managing factional tensions within allied parties.