Rivers State Needs More Than Peace, So, President Tinubu Must Call Wike To Order -By Isaac Asabor

The recent lifting of the emergency rule in Rivers State has no doubt ushered in a sigh of relief among its citizens. For months, the state was enmeshed in a deep political crisis that not only threatened the sanctity of democratic governance but also left ordinary residents at the mercy of uncertainty. With the emergency rule rolled back, relative peace has returned, at least on the surface. Daily activities, no doubt, would gradually resume, and the state would no doubt regain its rhythm. Yet, while the atmosphere suggests calm, it would be naïve to assume that all is well. What Rivers State is experiencing right now is fragile peace; a temporary reprieve that could crumble if underlying issues are not addressed with sincerity and firmness.

One of the central figures in the Rivers political quagmire remains Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Despite having exited office as governor, Wike’s shadow continues to loom large over the affairs of the state. His overbearing influence in Rivers’ politics is not just unhealthy for the stability of the state but also a direct affront to democratic principles. That is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must, beyond lifting the emergency rule, call Wike to order and remind him that he is now a federal minister, not a governor. Wike must be told unequivocally to eschew meddling in the governance of Rivers State.

It is important to acknowledge that Wike’s political weight cannot be dismissed. During his tenure as governor, he entrenched himself as a power broker not only in Rivers but also on the national stage. His contributions to national politics, particularly his role during the last elections, elevated his relevance within the ruling party and earned him a powerful ministerial portfolio. However, this newfound role as Minister of the FCT is precisely why his continued interference in Rivers politics is both troubling and unacceptable. A federal minister cannot simultaneously act as a de facto governor in his home state. Such dual control undermines the sitting governor, disrupts governance, and fosters perpetual instability.

The role of a minister is clearly spelt out: to focus on federal responsibilities, not to micromanage states or dictate to sitting governors. Rivers State today has a governor chosen by its people. Whether or not Wike has personal or political differences with the current administration, it is not his place to interfere. Governance is not a tug-of-war between yesterday’s leader and today’s occupant of the office. The people of Rivers did not elect Wike to govern them again after his tenure ended; they elected a new governor, and that choice must be respected.

If President Tinubu’s administration is serious about entrenching peace in Rivers State, then he must take deliberate steps to ensure that the peace is not cosmetic but durable. Part of that process involves curtailing the excesses of those who, though no longer in power, still want to wield influence by proxy. Wike’s lingering grip on Rivers politics is one such excess. Allowing him to continue unchecked would be tantamount to endorsing interference and creating conditions ripe for fresh crises.

Furthermore, Wike must understand that political influence does not equate to ownership. Rivers State is not his personal estate. His service as governor has ended, and history will judge him based on his record in office. But clinging to control beyond his tenure only diminishes his legacy. If Wike truly loves Rivers State, as he often professes, then he must give the current administration breathing space to operate. Constant meddling only undermines the sitting governor’s legitimacy and makes governance more difficult.

There is also a moral argument to be made. As FCT minister, Wike is expected to dedicate his energy to the administration and development of Nigeria’s capital city. Abuja faces enormous challenges: infrastructural decay, housing deficits, urban congestion, and insecurity. These issues require full attention and undivided commitment. For a minister to spend significant time and energy fighting political battles back in his home state is not just a disservice to Rivers but also to the nation at large. Abuja deserves a full-time minister, not one distracted by political tussles in Port Harcourt.

President Tinubu, who is no doubt a democrat and father figure to the nation, must recognize the long-term risks of allowing unchecked interference in Rivers. History has shown that political godfatherism, if left uncontrolled, breeds disunity, fosters impunity, and eventually destabilizes the polity. Nigeria’s democratic experiment has suffered enough from such tendencies. From Lagos to Anambra and other states, the scars of political godfatherism are still visible. Tinubu himself, more than most, understands how toxic such meddling can be. In that same Rivers speech, he reminded the nation that “democracy dies where the rights of governors elected by their people are trampled upon by forces that should have retired from power.” That statement could not be more apt for the current Rivers situation.

Rivers people are yearning for progress. They want good governance, infrastructure, jobs, and peace. They are not interested in endless political bickering between yesterday’s power brokers and today’s leaders. Each time political battles flare up, it is ordinary residents who suffer. Businesses are disrupted, livelihoods are threatened, and the state’s reputation as a hub of oil and commerce is dented. That is why this fragile peace must be consolidated, not toyed with. And consolidation is impossible so long as Wike continues to exert undue influence on the state’s governance.

Of course, some may argue that politics is never really free of influence and that Wike, given his role in Rivers, will inevitably maintain a degree of relevance. That may be true, but relevance should not translate into interference. Influence should not degenerate into control. There is a thin line between being a respected elder statesman and an overbearing political godfather, and Wike appears dangerously close to crossing it. President Tinubu must help him see this distinction for the sake of peace in Rivers and stability in Nigeria’s democracy.

At a time when Nigeria is grappling with daunting national challenges, ranging from economic hardships to insecurity, the last thing the country needs is renewed turmoil in one of its most important oil-producing states. Rivers is too strategic to Nigeria’s economy to be left in perpetual political turmoil. Every disruption in the state carries ripple effects for the entire nation. That is why ensuring peace in Rivers is not just a state matter but a national priority. And peace cannot thrive when one man insists on being both a minister and a shadow governor.

In conclusion, lifting the emergency rule in Rivers State was a commendable step, but it is not enough. Peace built on fragile foundations is no peace at all. For stability to take root, President Tinubu must act decisively. He must call Wike to order and remind him that his days as governor are over, that his current responsibilities lie in Abuja, and that Rivers State must be allowed to chart its own democratic course without interference. Only then will the people of Rivers enjoy the dividends of true democracy, and only then will Nigeria avoid another descent into unnecessary political crisis.

Rivers deserves more than temporary calm. It deserves durable peace, responsible governance, and freedom from political meddling. As President Tinubu himself declared in his speech on Wednesday, “As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level. The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders”.

The president must now live up to those words by ensuring that Wike steps back and lets Rivers State breathe.