The Rivers State political drama has taken a fascinating turn, with the VAR (Virtual / video Assistant Referee) capturing the intricate details of the crisis. At the heart of the matter is the alleged attempt by former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to maintain control over the state's politics.
Wike's motivations, as observed by the VAR, stem from his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, who helped him secure his second term as governor. In return, Wike aimed to install a puppet governor, Sim Fubara, who would ensure Rivers State remains under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
To achieve this goal, Wike allegedly instructed the Amawule-led Assembly to extend the tenure of local government officials by six months, despite this being unconstitutional. This move sparked a battle between Wike's loyalists and those supporting Governor Fubara.
The crisis escalated with the assembly's decision to challenge the local government election process in court, while Governor Fubara sought legal recourse over the defection of lawmakers. However, instead of appealing the matter in the High Court, Wike's loyalists obtained a judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which the Supreme Court later upheld in error.
The VAR discovered that the Court of Appeal had been mandated to harmonize conflicting judgments related to Rivers State, but the initial High Court judgment on defection was overlooked. This omission has significant implications for the legitimacy of the assembly and the governor's actions.
Furthermore, the VAR uncovered a plot to use the judiciary to stop the local government elections again, despite the Supreme Court's ruling that the previous elections did not follow electoral guidelines. The Amawule-led Assembly and Wike are allegedly collaborating to thwart the electoral process.
The people of Rivers State are caught in the middle of this power struggle, with many fearing the consequences of this crisis on the state's economy and stability. The governor has called a meeting with the Amawule-led Assembly to resolve the issue, but the outcome remains uncertain.
As the situation unfolds, the VAR will continue to provide insights into the complex web of politics and power struggles in Rivers State
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