The Traffic

"Wike vs Fubara: INEC Finally Speaks on Rivers Assembly Crisis, Breaks Silence on Conflicting Court Judgments"

By Achimi Muktari

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally broken its silence regarding the ongoing political turmoil in the Rivers State House of Assembly, which has seen lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike locked in a bitter power struggle.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained that the commission’s prolonged silence was due to the conflicting court rulings that have left the situation in a legal deadlock. Yakubu, addressing media executives at a stakeholders’ meeting at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, November 1, stated that the commission has been closely following the developments but was unable to take any definitive action because of the judicial uncertainty.

“The crisis in Rivers State’s House of Assembly has been compounded by court judgments from both the Rivers High Court and the Federal High Court, each backing opposing factions. This conflicting legal situation has made it difficult for us to act decisively,” Yakubu said, as reported by The Punch.

The chairman added that INEC has been consulting with Nigerians, particularly legal experts, to help navigate the complex situation. He emphasized the importance of legal clarity before the commission can move forward in addressing the crisis.

The roots of the conflict stem from a factional split between lawmakers loyal to Governor Fubara and those allied with former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. In a dramatic twist, 25 pro-Wike lawmakers had their seats declared vacant by three Fubara loyalists in the assembly. Simultaneously, the Wike faction also declared vacant the seats of lawmakers aligned with Fubara.

With both factions accusing the other of illegitimacy and calling for by-elections to fill the newly vacant seats, INEC found itself caught in a legal maze.

“We are following the situation and the conflicting judgments closely,” Yakubu said. “At this point, we cannot predict what will happen next, but we are engaging with legal minds to ensure we make the right decision within the framework of the law.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has also weighed in on the matter. According to TrafficNg, the party issued a warning to Governor Fubara, cautioning him against attempts to blackmail President Bola Tinubu or Nyesom Wike. APC’s Rivers State Chairman, Sir Tony Okocha, reiterated the party’s support for the judiciary and urged both sides to respect the constitution, particularly Sections 120, 121, and 122, which outline the procedures for resolving political disputes.

In a surprising twist, Okocha quipped that the current crisis is not between two rival political figures but between “Sim Fubara and Sim Fubara,” referencing the governor’s struggle with his own political identity amid rising tensions.

As Rivers State’s political drama continues to unfold, all eyes are on INEC and the courts to determine the fate of the assembly and its lawmakers. With the conflict at a standstill, the situation remains a significant test of Nigeria’s legal and electoral systems.