Gov Sim Fubara, Wike Struggle For Rivers State Structure

The last may not have been heard on the battle between the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike and his estranged protégé, Governor Siminalaye Fubara.
In the aftermath of the bungled impeachment plot against Governor Sim Fubara, the FCT minister made some damning threats daring anyone in the state that would tamper with his ‘structure’.
Crux of the matter is that in the last Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship primaries which, Wike gleefully superintended, the former Rivers State governor did everything within his power to deny budding governorship aspirants like Felix Obuah, Farah Dagogo the opportunity to have a shot at the Brick House. He personally handpicked Fubara and made sure nothing stood in his way to victory.
Wike used the local government areas officials and the State House of Assembly members who, he personally brought on board, to ensure his will was done.
The political structure on ground now in Rivers State which Wike is boasting cannot be dismantled consists of ward, state and local government party executives, as well the party executives, most of whom he has personally worked with since his days as Obio/Akpor Local Government chairman.
A major power block in this struggle is the local government council chairmen in all the 23 legal government areas in the state.
Pundits claim that Wike, with the mindset of perpetuating himself in power in the state, meticulously handpicked even councilors in the various local government areas with intent to compel them to be loyal to him whenever a conflict of interest would arise between him and Governor Sim Fubara who he had imagined would be a mere puppet in his hands.
When therefore they fell out, Wike quickly rallied his troops to impeach the disobedient servant but his plans did not fly.
Luckily for Sim Fubara, the alertness of Rivers youths and the supportive people on the streets saved his blushes and his five month old reign as governor of the oil rich state.
From our findings, those loyal to Wike were insistent that he should as usual, handpick all the local government council chairmen in the 23 local government councils while the incumbent governor, knowing the power chain and enormous advantage this entails, refused to accept this proposal.
As the battle simmers with factional State Assembly meetings, there are very strong indications that Governor Fubara plans to dissolve the elected local government chairmen and appoint as has always been the case in most states and Rivers political history, caretaker committees (CTC) that would oversee the affairs of the councils.
This may have enraged the FCT minister’s camp leading to the attempt to impeach him to get him out of the Brick House.
Governor Fubara has all the aces up his sleeve. He can do a lot with his executive powers-dissolve the local government council leadership as others have done and also dissolve the state party executives at the ward, local and state levels. That would instantly crumble the Wike structure for which he boasts he can make governance uncomfortable for Fubara.
Although many are not speaking out, many Rivers people are happy that the days of the “Emperor” are over.
“Wike came on the wings of Dame Patience Jonathan, has she been breathing down his neck? Why does he want to over control Sim Fubara.
“Wike should know that god-fatherism has never really worked. He taught Fubara what he is doing to him now,” an elder who pleaded anonymity said.
Fubara is talking with greater authority and even singing better songs at outings, he added.
The governor has been advised to seize the opportunity of estrangement from his benefactor to offer the people good service as was the case with former Chris Ngige of Anambra and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.