Rivers State: Wike Hosts Suspended Lawmakers In UK

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday, hosted a group of suspended Rivers State lawmakers currently on a legislative tour of the United Kingdom, further fueling speculation about the deepening political crisis in the state.

According to a post by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Wike organized a dinner for the lawmakers, led by embattled Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who were said to be in the UK for a “legislative capacity building” program.

“Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner,” Olayinka wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

The gathering comes at a time of heightened political tension in Rivers State, following a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State Assembly.

In their place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator for a six-month interim period.

The lawmakers’ trip has drawn scrutiny, especially given their suspension and the backdrop of a fierce power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, now a central figure in the unfolding drama.

Speaker Amaewhule had earlier described the tour as essential for exposing members of the 10th Assembly to global legislative best practices, which he said would improve their ability to serve the people of Rivers State.

While official details about the nature of the training remain vague, Monday’s dinner hosted by Wike has been widely interpreted by political analysts as a strategic move to consolidate his influence over loyal lawmakers amid the ongoing standoff with the Fubara-led administration.

Though both camps have continued to trade blame, the dinner event reinforces the public perception of a divided political structure in the oil-rich state, one that could significantly impact governance and stability in the months ahead.