Activist Aisha Yesufu Declares president Tinubu The New Master Of Fubara After Rivers Crisis Resolution

 

Aisha Yesufu, one of Nigeria’s most outspoken voices on sociopolitical issues, has stirred reactions following her comments on the recent resolution of the long-drawn political crisis in Rivers State. According to her, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has merely exchanged one political overlord for another, with President Bola Tinubu now holding sway over the affairs of the governor.

The activist’s position came shortly after the governor’s reinstatement to office, which marked the end of a period of uncertainty in the oil-rich state. Fubara had been suspended from office six months ago as tensions between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, spiraled out of control. At the height of the turmoil, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, appointed a sole administrator, and effectively sidelined Fubara’s authority.

Political watchers had described the crisis as one of the most destabilizing episodes since Fubara assumed power. The rivalry between him and Wike, his predecessor and political benefactor, threatened governance and plunged the state into months of wrangling. The Abuja meeting last week, where both men announced that their differences had been resolved, was seen as a significant turning point. With that resolution, Tinubu reinstated Fubara as governor and lifted the state of emergency.

Despite this development, Aisha Yesufu is not convinced that genuine independence has been restored to the governor. Taking to her verified X account on Tuesday, she argued that Wike’s influence has merely been transferred to President Tinubu. Her words were unambiguous: “Wike handed his hold over Rivers State directly to Tinubu! Fubara got a new Master.”

Her statement reflects a deep skepticism about the nature of political allegiances in Nigeria and the power dynamics that often place state leaders under the authority of stronger figures at the national level. For Yesufu, what has been presented as reconciliation and peace may only be a reconfiguration of control.

Governor Fubara’s private meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja earlier this week added further weight to her position. The closed-door session was described by the presidency as routine, but critics argue it signals more than just routine governance. To them, it underlines the increasing grip of the president on the affairs of Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s most economically significant regions.

The response to Yesufu’s comments has been mixed. Supporters of her views point to the precedent of governors across Nigeria often falling under the influence of stronger political figures, especially during crises that threaten their political survival. They argue that the president’s decisive intervention, though it restored Fubara’s governorship, has left him beholden to the central authority in ways that undermine state autonomy.

Others dismiss her comments as unnecessarily provocative. They insist that the reconciliation between Wike and Fubara, facilitated by Tinubu, is a positive development for Rivers people who have endured months of tension. For this group, stability is the most critical outcome, and if it took presidential intervention to achieve that, then it was a necessary price to pay.

The history of Rivers State politics is replete with fierce rivalries and high-stakes power struggles. From the days of former governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi to Wike’s tenure and now Fubara’s administration, the state has often been a battleground of influence between national powerbrokers and local leaders. The oil-rich economy of the region makes it a prize for any political heavyweight, ensuring that contests for control rarely lack intensity.

Yesufu’s intervention reopens questions about the balance of power between Nigeria’s states and the federal government. Her critique highlights concerns that state governors, instead of operating with full autonomy, may be reduced to political subordinates who depend on the patronage of Abuja for survival. That perception is amplified when political crises are resolved not through local consensus, but through presidential decrees.

For the ordinary citizens of Rivers State, the end of the crisis may signal a chance for governance to return to focus. Projects stalled during the months of tension can now continue, and attention can shift to pressing issues such as infrastructure development, job creation, and improved security. Yet, the narrative of who truly holds power in the state lingers, shaping how the public perceives the reconciliation story.

Yesufu has long maintained a reputation as a fearless critic of Nigeria’s political establishment. From her role in the Bring Back Our Girls movement to her outspoken opposition to successive governments, she has consistently voiced uncomfortable truths. Her remarks on Rivers State fit into that broader pattern of challenging official narratives and drawing attention to underlying realities that politicians may prefer to gloss over.

What remains uncertain is how the newly defined relationship between Fubara, Wike, and Tinubu will play out in the coming months. Peace has returned, at least on the surface, but observers remain cautious. Should tensions resurface or should Fubara demonstrate an unwillingness to fall in line with Abuja’s expectations, the fragile settlement could be tested.

As the dust settles on the crisis, the people of Rivers State are left to hope that the outcome, regardless of the political undercurrents, brings real dividends in governance. For now, Aisha Yesufu’s pointed words continue to reverberate, reminding Nigerians that behind every resolution lies the question of who truly holds power.