Tinubu Accused of Undermining Democracy in Rivers to Secure 2027 Election Through Wike’s Influence

 

Tensions continue to rise in Rivers State as President Bola Tinubu faces mounting criticism over what many now describe as a deliberate political scheme to dismantle constitutional democracy in the region. The recent state of emergency imposed on the state has drawn outrage from political leaders, legal practitioners, civil society groups, and residents who allege that Tinubu's true objective is to install a political structure favorable to his 2027 re-election plans through former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Observers were left disappointed during President Tinubu’s address to the joint session of the National Assembly on June 12, a day symbolic of Nigeria’s fight for democratic governance. Despite widespread expectations, Tinubu failed to mention Rivers State or address concerns surrounding the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Critics believe this omission signaled a clear unwillingness to restore constitutional order in the state.

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West and a former governor of Bayelsa, openly rebuked the President’s silence. Speaking to reporters, Dickson stated that Tinubu missed a critical opportunity to reassert democratic values and condemned the continued suppression of political rights in Rivers. He described the President’s actions as contradictory, saying one cannot claim to uphold democracy while simultaneously violating its foundational principles.

Legal expert and APC chieftain, Chizy Enyi, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the move to suspend Fubara was purely political. According to Enyi, the President’s ultimate goal is to deliver Rivers State into Wike’s hands, thereby ensuring electoral dominance come 2027. He argued that the so-called “structure” Wike continually references—comprising local government leadership, party operatives, and cabinet appointments—has been systematically handed over to his loyalists under the guise of stabilizing the state.

Sole Administrators, controversially appointed to oversee local governments, are seen by many as unconstitutional placeholders who serve Wike’s interests. Enyi noted that this action directly contravenes a Supreme Court judgment prohibiting non-elected officials from assuming such roles. The appointments have been interpreted as the final proof of Tinubu’s intention to sideline Fubara and install Wike as the de facto political leader of the state.

Tensions are not only political but deeply constitutional. Critics argue that invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to justify emergency rule lacks merit, especially in a state like Rivers that, by many accounts, has not experienced the type of violence seen in other regions. Residents, including Finipri Obomanu, argue that peace prevailed in Rivers long before the emergency was declared, contrasting the situation with more volatile states like Zamfara or Benue where security concerns remain dire.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct nPDP, went a step further by accusing Tinubu of attempting to underdevelop the state as part of a wider strategy to marginalize former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. According to Eze, the political assault is not only about controlling the state’s electoral influence but also ensuring that no strong political rivals, particularly Amaechi, can challenge the President’s influence heading into the next elections.

Discontent is not confined to political circles. Citizens have begun to voice their frustrations as well. Dike Emmanuel, a resident of Port Harcourt, expressed concerns over the abandonment of public infrastructure projects. He questioned where funds from the Federation Account are being directed since development on the ground has stagnated.

Civil society groups have also weighed in. The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide, urged President Tinubu to reconsider his actions and immediately lift the state of emergency. They called for the reinstatement of Governor Fubara and the return of all duly elected officials, describing the situation as a serious deviation from democratic norms.

Many in Rivers feel betrayed. They accuse Tinubu of pursuing personal political ambitions at the expense of their constitutional rights and developmental needs. The President’s absence from the state since taking office, despite major political developments, has further fueled speculation that Rivers has become a pawn in a broader political chess game.

The people of Rivers State, facing an uncertain political future, now look ahead to 2027 with caution and defiance. For them, the struggle has moved beyond Fubara or Wike. It is about reclaiming their democratic voice and resisting a narrative that suggests their votes and mandates can be arbitrarily dismissed. As one activist bluntly put it, “The President has decided to undermine Rivers State. But history will remember this moment—and not kindly.”