A political analyst, Mahmud Jega, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the intervention in the political crisis between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Naija News reports that multiple sources who spoke with THISDAY said Tinubu’s intervention came with a blunt message to Fubara: that Wike remains the undisputed political leader of the party, whether in the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, and must be respected in that regard.

Reacting to the development, Jega, during an interview on Arise Television, stated that Tinubu’s position regarding Wike contradicts the APC’s constitution.

According to Jeka, Tinubu’s intervention in the Rivers State Crisis will perpetuate the crisis rather than solve it.

He said, “As far as I can see, president Tinubu’s intervention will perpetuate the crisis, instead of resolving it.

“To say that Wike is the undisputed political leader in Rivers, contradicts the APC constitution, as initiated recently by the party’s National Secretary and the National Chairman that governors are the leaders of the party in their states.

“Now, you are saying that Wike is the leader when he is not even a member of the APC. That says a lot because even the National Secretary was saying that Wike, if you want, you can come into our party, otherwise you shouldn’t meddle.

“But the President seems to be saying, if this report is correct, that Wike’s remaining in the PDP, and what he’s doing there really has my blessing, because he is there essentially to wreck the PDP as an opposition party in the service of the President’s 2027 re-election hopes.

“So, honestly, this does not look like an attempt to solve the problem. Instead, it is to hand over the knife and everything to Minister Wike to continue the role that he is playing as leader of Rivers politics in both APC and PDP. This has never happened in the political history of Nigeria.”

Former PDP Governor Gabriel Suswam resigns from the party, citing unending internal crises and lack of cohesion. The former governor expresses gratitude for past opportunities amidst party dysfunction Suswam’s departure highlights PDP’s ongoing leadership struggles post-2023 elections.

Gabriel Suswam, the former governor of Benue State, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that his resignation took effect immediately.

The former governor’s resignation was contained in a letter seen by Legit.ng. The letter was dated Wednesday, February 4 and was signed by the former senator. He thanked the PDP for giving him the platform to serve the people at various capacities.

He recalled that he had served as a member of the House of Representatives, governor and senator under the PDP, adding that he remains grateful to the party for the “opportunities and trust reposed” in him during the period.

Recall that the PDP has been in a leadership crisis since the outcome of the 2023 general election. Currently, the party is divided into factions. One is led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the other by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo.

He decried that every effort to fix the party has been fruitless and that the party now appeared to be in “perpetually trapped in crises mode.” He said all these made it impossible for sustain his membership in the party.

His resignation letter reads in part:

“Despite repeated interventions, reconciliatory committees, and public assurances, the party continues to operate in a state of deep internal dysfunction. The PDP today appears to be perpetually trapped in crisis mode; an institution in political intensive care, with no consensus diagnosis and no agreed treatment plan in sight. As a committed democrat and stakeholder in Nigeria’s political development, I find it increasingly difficult to reconcile my continued membership with my personal convictions, political philosophy, and desire to contribute meaningfully to nation-building within a stable and functional political framework. 

“I believe that political parties must serve as platforms for ideas, discipline, and constructive engagement, not arenas of endless internal warfare. Regrettably, the current state of affairs within the PDP no longer aligns with these ideals. I therefore consider it honourable and necessary to step aside, while wishing the party well, should it one day find the courage and consensus to resolve its long-standing internal contradictions. Please accept my resignation and convey my appreciation to members at all levels for the shared journey over the years.” 

President Bola Tinubu issued a directive to halt the feud between Rivers state governor Siminalayi Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike. Tinubu ordered Wike to stop all impeachment actions against Fubara and emphasised respect for political seniority. The president’s intervention included recognition of Wike as political leader and directives on upcoming by-elections

Aso Rock, Abuja – President Bola Tinubu has issued a fresh directive aimed at halting the simmering conflict between Rivers state governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The intervention comes after months of political tension that threatened the state with impeachment moves, legislative paralysis, and governance instability.

As reported by Arise Television, multiple sources familiar with the matter said that Tinubu, acting before departing for an official trip to Türkiye on January 26, warned Wike to immediately desist from pursuing impeachment plots against Fubara. The president reportedly stressed that continued hostilities would undermine governance and stability in the oil-rich state.

A source quoted Tinubu as saying,

“Fubara must be allowed to govern, but elders and political leaders like Wike deserve respect. Political seniority cannot be ignored because of personal disagreements.” 

Tinubu’s latest intervention reportedly included strict conditions: Fubara was to formally recognise Wike as the “political leader” in Rivers state, with final authority on party matters, while Wike and his camp were instructed to halt all impeachment-related actions against the governor.

“This is about ensuring stability and governance in Rivers state. The president made it clear that all internal party disputes must defer to Wike’s recognised authority,” one source said

The directive also covered upcoming state House of Assembly by-elections for Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies, with Wike’s candidates to be formally endorsed by the APC. INEC has scheduled the elections for February 21, 2026.

The feud between Fubara and Wike has persisted since May 2023, shortly after Fubara assumed office. Wike, who personally backed Fubara as his successor, has reportedly sought to control the state from Abuja, while Fubara has attempted to assert his independence. Almost all Rivers State lawmakers have reportedly aligned with Wike, intensifying the political struggle.

Previous peace efforts brokered by Tinubu, including a six-month emergency rule declared in March 2025, failed to resolve the rift. This latest directive represents a renewed attempt to stabilise governance and prevent further disruption in the state.

While the president’s intervention aims to enforce truce, insiders reveal that discussions about Fubara’s potential 2027 re-election bid were deliberately postponed, with Tinubu reportedly stating that such matters remain premature, Vanguard reported.

“The focus for now is peace and governance. Any talk about the 2027 governorship is off the table until stability is restored.”

With Tinubu’s firm stance and clear instructions, stakeholders in Rivers State are now expected to observe the truce and allow the governor to govern, while respecting Wike’s political seniority. Wike vs Fubara: APC chairman releases new info

Previously, Dailyvoice.ng reported that the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the ruling party has started negotiating with the lawmakers in the Rivers state House of Assembly on their bid to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Professor Nentawe Yilwatda maintained that this was the reason why no one had heard about the brouhaha between the lawmakers and the governor, who has been at loggerheads with his political godfather, Nyesom Wike.