The political landscape of Rivers State, long considered the crown jewel of Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, has reached a critical juncture as of early January 2026. In the contemporary context of Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the protégé who calls Wike “father”. For the Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the moment calls for a return to principled governance and constituency welfare. They must rise above the polarity that does not respect party lines and refocus on their mandate to ensure that the governance outcomes for the people of Rivers State are positive. Ultimately, the crisis will shape not just the political fortunes of individual actors, but the democratic norms and political culture of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

Source: The Guardian January 10, 2026 09:46 UTC