Arise Television broadcast journalist Rufai Oseni has stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his political loyalists have capitulated to the strong influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Oseni maintained that Wike had politically subdued and undermined the governor's camp, compelling them to yield to the former state chief executive.
The media personality expressed these viewpoints on Tuesday during an analytical exchange with Chijoke Ihunwo, a former head of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, concerning the unfolding political scenario in Rivers State. Oseni referenced Ihunwo's past active participation in the regional political conflict, which included his association with the Action People's Party and his time in local administration.
Reports previously indicated that the former council boss had stood firmly with Fubara during his intense political tussle against the pervasive influence of Wike within the oil-producing state. Nevertheless, Ihunwo has since reconciled with Wike as part of a broad political coalition arrangement structured ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.
How did the political dynamics shift in Rivers State?
Addressing the realignment, Oseni bluntly remarked during the broadcast that the opposition forces had experienced significant political setbacks under Wike's dominance. He suggested that relentless political pressure had broken their resistance, leaving the governor and his supporters with little choice but to submit.
"The truth is, is because you people have been defeated by Wike and you have been beaten a lot. You've been mangled and demolished with the Wike might, and that's why you have to kowtow. The governor has to kowtow to the master," Oseni stated.
Furthermore, Oseni connected Wike's sustained political leverage to backing he purportedly obtained from President Bola Tinubu and the central administration amidst the height of the Rivers political impasse.
"Well, because Wike showed you people pepper and President Tinubu supported him and he even declared the state of emergency, used federal might to push you people down so you can't talk again," he further observed.