According to Austin Tam-George, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) changed the state’s political landscape and reduced the power of the group supporting Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
The previous three weeks have seen a shift in the state’s political calculations, according to Tam-George, who also noted that Wike and his friends were uneasy about this development.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, the former commissioner said that’s why Wike has been visiting several local government areas in the state in recent weeks.
He claimed that the governor’s defection reduced the Wike camp’s power over the Rivers State Government, compelling them to look for fresh approaches to regaining control.
However, he cautioned that the state and its citizens will eventually suffer from the protracted political tension and instability brought on by the contest.
“The political calculation in Rivers State has changed due to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s shift to the APC in the last 21 days,” Tam-George stated.
“You know, over the last two weeks or so, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has been moving from local government area to local government area, threatening the Rivers State administration, and at one time denigrating the APC leadership structures.
He went so far as to accuse the Tinubu administration and a few high-ranking officials of traveling to Rivers State to literally accept bribes or money from the state government.
“So, what I believe is happening is that the governor’s defection has clearly jeopardized the Wike camp’s initial influence over the governor, and they are trying to find a means to establish what they perceive to be a threat to their leverage.
“However, the state ultimately suffers from this kind of instability, which is regrettable.”
