Aisha Yesufu argues that Nyesom Wike shot himself in the foot by giving Rivers State to President Bola Tinubu through Governor Sim Fubara allowing Tinubu direct influence The statement has stirred debate about political stakes and power dynamics in Rivers State .
Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has criticized Nyesom Wike the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for what she described as a serious political miscalculation In her words Wike has effectively shot himself in the foot by handing Rivers State once considered his strongest bargaining chip to President Bola Tinubu through Governor Siminalayi Fubara According to her this shift has reduced Wike’s control over a state that had long served as his political fortress .
Key Claims and Context
Yesufu believes Rivers State has always been Wike’s strongest card in political negotiations at the national level By allowing Governor Fubara to align more directly with President Tinubu she argues that Wike has weakened his own hand She further insists that Tinubu now has direct access to Rivers State through Fubara who is more likely to be loyal to the presidency than to his former political mentor .
Her comments are rooted in the recent settlement of the prolonged conflict between Wike and Fubara What began as a tussle over control of state structures and political influence escalated into a crisis that threatened the stability of Rivers politics .
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Political Background The Fubara Wike Fallout
The fallout between Governor Fubara and Wike has dominated Rivers State politics in recent months Their disagreements spanned issues of administrative control loyalty within the party and broader questions of influence over the state machinery The standoff grew so intense that President Tinubu imposed emergency rule in the state suspending both the executive and the legislature This action deepened political tensions and raised questions about the future of Rivers governance .
When the emergency ordinance eventually expired President Tinubu reinstated Fubara a move widely seen as an attempt to restore stability while also reshaping the balance of power in the state The reinstatement signaled Tinubu’s readiness to work directly with Fubara reducing Wike’s hold over the state he once dominated .
Analysis Aisha Yesufu’s Perspective
From Yesufu’s perspective Wike has undermined his own political relevance She maintains that Rivers State was his most valuable leverage in dealings with the presidency and within party politics By losing control of it he has also lost his bargaining strength .
Yesufu also emphasized that political loyalty cannot be bought with land property or other material inducements What truly matters she said are the people who control institutions and make decisions In her view it is individuals who shape outcomes not structures on paper and this is especially true when it comes to the conduct of elections She warned that no election can be rigged without willing participants highlighting the critical role of loyalty networks in shaping Nigeria’s political reality .
Implications and Stakes
The shift in Rivers State carries serious implications For Wike his political relevance is at risk By giving Tinubu direct access through Fubara he may find himself sidelined in the very state he once controlled His image as a power broker could diminish if he is seen as having lost grip over Rivers politics .
For President Tinubu the situation provides an opportunity to consolidate influence in one of Nigeria’s most strategic states With Fubara back in office and seemingly aligned with the presidency Tinubu now enjoys a direct line of authority in Rivers strengthening his reach ahead of future political contests .
The broader power dynamics in Rivers are also shifting Internal stability may have been restored after the crisis but it has come at the expense of Wike’s dominance The control of appointments loyalty networks and grassroots support is now contested ground .
Yesufu’s remarks also touch on electoral concerns She reminded Nigerians that elections are shaped not only by institutions but by the individuals who run them This means Rivers State could play a decisive role in national politics if its loyalty structure is firmly in Tinubu’s camp .
Counterpoints and Questions
The debate raises several questions Could Wike have avoided this outcome or was he boxed into a corner by his conflict with Fubara The confrontation may have left him with no better option and his hand may have been forced by circumstances .
Another point of uncertainty is the loyalty of Fubara While Yesufu assumes Fubara will remain aligned with Tinubu political loyalty in Nigeria often shifts with changing tides It remains to be seen whether the governor continues on this path or seeks to carve out his independence from the presidency .
There is also the matter of public perception How the people of Rivers view Fubara’s alignment with Tinubu will shape the state’s future political landscape If voters believe their governor is being influenced too heavily from outside it may weaken his legitimacy and complicate governance .
Conclusion
Aisha Yesufu’s criticism casts Wike’s recent decisions as a major political error By allowing Tinubu direct access to Rivers State through Governor Fubara she believes Wike has weakened his own influence and jeopardized his role as a key political actor Whether this proves to be a temporary setback or a lasting shift in power will depend on how Fubara governs how Tinubu manages his new influence and how Wike adapts to the changing political environment .
The unfolding events highlight the delicate balance between institutional authority and personal loyalty in Nigerian politics Wike’s struggle Fubara’s positioning and Tinubu’s growing reach in Rivers State will remain central to the country’s political drama in the months ahead .