The Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress (RIPCON) has withdrawn its support for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and formally declared allegiance to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The announcement was made on Saturday during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. Speaking at the event, Chairman of RIPCON and former senator, George Sekibo, accused Governor Fubara of ingratitude, stating that his emergence as governor was largely due to Wike’s political backing.
Sekibo said the decision to abandon Fubara was based on what he described as the governor’s failure to acknowledge and respect the political support that brought him to office. He emphasised that the Ijaw people of Rivers State value loyalty and gratitude, adding that the congress had resolved to align fully with Wike going forward.
“We have chosen to stand with the man who stood with us,” Sekibo said, pledging that the congress would follow Wike’s political direction in the state.
Also speaking, Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Akuro Tobin, praised Wike for facilitating appointments and elective opportunities for indigenes of the area, describing him as a consistent supporter of grassroots political inclusion.
In his remarks, Wike thanked the gathering for their continued support, particularly their backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He urged political stakeholders to allow political processes to run their course while maintaining internal mechanisms for conflict resolution.
The development comes amid a deepening political rift between Wike and Governor Fubara. Wike has previously accused the governor of breaching a political agreement reached before President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State.
Wike has also maintained that Governor Fubara’s public support for President Tinubu would not guarantee his re-election, noting that he (Wike) had supported Tinubu long before Fubara’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The withdrawal of support by RIPCON marks a significant shift in Rivers State’s political landscape, particularly among Ijaw political blocs, ahead of future electoral contests.
