Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has asserted that the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, particularly between Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, centers on the sharing of money.
In an interview with DW on Saturday, Amaechi emphasized that the dispute between Fubara and Wike is fundamentally about the allocation of funds from the oil-rich Rivers State. He stated, “The fight between the current governor of Rivers State and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what is the quarrel? Nigerians don’t dislike corruption anymore. I’ve not seen anybody on the street questioning what the problem is. Can both of them speak to the public and tell us what the problem is about?”
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This revelation comes against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which Amaechi has condemned as unconstitutional. He criticized the President’s move, calling it a dangerous affront to Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.
Amaechi urged the National Assembly to reject what he termed “illegality,” saying, “Governors and legislators should speak up now. As a former state governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President. I commend the governors that have spoken against the unlawful suspension.”
He also highlighted the financial stakes of the situation, noting that Rivers State’s six months’ allocation is worth over N400 billion, while local government allocations are worth at least over N14 billion monthly.
Amaechi’s comments reflect ongoing concerns about governance and financial management within the state, reinforcing the notion that the Rivers State Crisis is about sharing of money.
