The political crisis rocking Rivers State, since the last quarter of 2023 has not waned in anyway, instead it has led to some political office holders in the state tendering their resignation letters to pitch their tents with the current Federal Capital Teritory Minister (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In this edition, City People Port Harcourt Bureau, Chief, Emeka Amaefula (+234(0)8111813069) takes a cursory look at these Wike loyalists who have unapologetically dumped Governor Fubara.
ENGR. EMEKA WOKE
He was the erstwhile Chief of Staff to Gov. Wike throughout his 8 years tenure in office as the Governor of Rivers State.
In the wake of Gov. Siminialayi Fubara Government, Engr. Woke, was again appointed Commissioner for Special Duties. It is also worthy of note that both Wike and Woke served the same time as Local Government Chairman in the state, Obior and Akpor, Local Government to be precise.
Having fraternised closely for almost 20 years, it is not likely that Woke, would now become disloyal to Wike.
PROF. ZACCHAEUS ADANGOR
This former Law Lecturer at Rivers State University Port Harcourt and a native of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Professor Zacchaeus Adangor came into political limelight at the demise of Emma Chinwenwo Aguma SAN, who was Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Rivers State.
Upon his exit Prof. Adangor, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) took over as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Rivers State. Two things came into play here,. Zacchaeus Adangor hails from Andoni, where politicians such as PDP former National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, former Deputy Governor Engr. Tele R. Ikuru, former Speaker Rt. Honourable Ibani Ikanya and so many others. And his rise to occupy same position at the exit of Wike as Governor on 29th of May, 2023 was made possible by the political alliance and leadership of Wike. At the peak of the political crisis between Wike and Fubara Prof. Adangor resigned on personal reasons. His letter was dated 14th of November 2023 making him the first to resign from Fubara’s government.
ISAAC KAMALU
The former Commissioner for Finance during Wike’s 8-years rule as governor and reappointed as Finance Commissioner in Fubara’s Government. Isaac Kamalu hails from Eleme Local Government Area, where there are political big wigs such as former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Honourable Marcus Nle Eji and Honourable Olaka Nwogu and many others. His reappointment was a testament that he belongs to Wike’s political camp and remains very loyal to the FCT Minister.
- JACOBSON NBINA
This former Local Government Area Chairman of Tai LGA, and a follower of Senator Barry Mpigi’s political group, Dr. Jacobson Nbina was appointed Commissioner for Transport during Wike’s administration and reappointed for same position in Fubara’s government. He resigned his appointment as Commissioner and aligned with his political godfather, the senator representing Rivers South East at the 10th National Assembly, Senator Barry Mpigi who is a loyalist of the FCT Abuja Minister Wike.
AUSTEN BEN-CHIOMA
He remains one of the followers of Wike and he occupied the office of Commissioner for Works during Wike’s 8 years rule as Governor and he was reappointed as Works Commissioner in Fubara’s administration.
GIFT WORLU
The mobilization of political followers of Wike cannot be complete without the likes of Gift Worlu, who was appointed as Commissioner for Housing in Fubara’s government. His resignation did not come as a surprise to many because of his untainted political loyalty to Wike.
CHIDI AMADI
This former Chief of Staff to Governor Siminialayi Fubara was the last to resign his appointment as the political logjam continued. He hails from Obio/Akpor LGA same place with the former Governor and there were insinuations that he was acting the scripts of the former Governor and problem of trust and confidentiality will be eroded should he continue to remain as the Chief of Staff. Thus he was the last to exit Fubara’s administration in early January 2024.
PROF. PRINCE CHINEDU MMOM
Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, the former Commissioner for Education is your everyday next door neighbour politician who can never hide his political loyalty during turbulent periods like it is happening in Rivers State. His first time was during the second term of Wike’s administration and he was reappointed in Fubara’s government. Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, tendered his resignation letter with a touching note that he cannot continue to serve in a situation that he found himself being an academic.
- ALABO GEORGE DAX KELLY
The most experienced cabinet member of Governor Wike’s 8-years Dr. Alabo George Kelly, aspired to be elected Governor of Rivers State and he came second place during the PDP Governorship Primary election in 2023. First, he was appointed Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Infrastructure and later made Commissioner for Works and re-appointed as Commissioner for Works in Governor Fubara’s government. He tendered his resignation letter amidst public outcry because of his expertise in the execution of projects which he is well known for.
INIME CHINWENWO AGUMA
Barrister Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma happened to be the widow of late Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma SAN who died in office as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General. She was appointed into the executive cabinet immediately her husband died to occupied the office of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. During the troublesome political period of Governor Fubara first 7-months in office, she resigned her appointed citing “my conscience will not allow me to stay and I have other commitments”, as her reasons for tendering her resignation from office as a Commissioner. She plays major roles in the Federation of International Female Lawyers in Nigeria-FIDA.
- SAMUEL NWANOSIKE
Among the 23 Local Government Council chairmen in Rivers State, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, popularly addressed as ‘Ishi’ is a well-known political loyalist of Wike, He it was who made him Chairman of Ikwerre LGA for two terms. He was spokesman of Wike’s 2015 Governorship campaign era and repeated same in 2019 as he was pencilled to be appointed Commissioner at the expiration of his tenure as Chairman of Ikwerre LGA come February, 2024 but for the political crisis.
This vibrant political follower of Wike will never stop talking good about his political mentor, as he defends Wike at every forum he finds himself and engages in Radio Talk-shows propagating the good news of Wike everywhere he goes.
- HON. MARTINS CHIKE AMAEWHULE
He started with Wike while both were at Obio/Akpor Local Government Council. First Martins Chike Amaewhule was Legislative Leader of Obio/Akpor while Wike was Chairman of the most populous LGA in Rivers State. He was elected leader of Rivers State House of Assembly before his emergence as Speaker of the 10th Assembly in Rivers State. Now he led 26 other lawmakers to defect to All Progressives Congress-APC in the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly with one of the members now dead leaving the Rivers State House of Assembly with 31 members out of which 27 are loyal to Wike.
SENATOR BARRY MPIGI
This Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, has not hidden his voice against the administration of Siminialayi Fubara, as he had used every opportunity to display his dislike of the Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara. First is the fact that both come from the same senatorial district and his Commissioner nominee Dr. Jacobson Nbina from Tai LGA was appointed Commissioner for Transport. This remains one of his gains for supporting Wike.
SENATOR ALLWELL ONYESOH
Being one of the 3 Senators from Rivers State, where he represents Rivers East Senatorial District, Nyesom Wike also hails from his Senatorial district. Throughout the period of the political turmoil in Rivers State, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, had remained silent and concentrated on his legislative business where he is Chairman of Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Chairman of Upstream sector of Oil & Gas. So, he travels often whenever he is not at the National Assembly. It is common knowledge that he belongs to Wike’s camp.
SENATOR DR. IPALIBO HARRY-BANIGO
The former first female Deputy Governor of Rivers State Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo represents Rivers West Senatorial District and she is a well known loyalist of Wike. She has been seen to be very close to Siminialayi Fubara because both are of Ijaw ethnic group; her being found outside Fubara’s circle may raise suspicious against her by her constituents.
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