Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that his political dispute with former Governor Nyesom Wike stemmed from financial disagreements over the state’s revenue allocation.
In an interview on national television, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a respected elder statesman in Rivers State, disclosed that Governor Fubara had confided in him about the primary cause of the rift between both leaders.
According to Fubara, Wike allegedly demanded a ₦6 billion monthly allocation from the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
“Before Wike left office, the state’s revenue was always declared as ₦12 billion. However, after I assumed office, Rivers State’s IGR increased to ₦25 billion,” Fubara stated.
The governor claimed that despite the significant increase in state revenue, Wike insisted on receiving ₦6 billion per month, which would have left the state with just ₦6 billion from the previously declared ₦12 billion figure.
“I told him ₦6 billion was too much. If we did that, we would have nothing left. That was where our problem started,” Fubara disclosed.
The revelation sheds new light on the deepening political crisis between the two leaders, who were once allies. The feud has led to a major political standoff in Rivers State, with divisions among lawmakers and heightened tensions within the ruling party.
Observers believe that this development could have far-reaching implications for the political stability of the state and beyond. Meanwhile, former Governor Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has yet to publicly respond to these allegations.
More details to follow.
