In the midst of ongoing political unrest in Rivers State, a lobbying group known as Rivers First Movement (RFM) has requested a thorough investigation into the state’s financial records from May 29, 2015, to January 31, 2026, covering the tenures of both former governor Nyesom Wike and the current Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This call comes in light of a recent development in the ongoing battle for political dominance in the state, following Fubara’s recent decision to disband the State Executive Council, which many view as a tactical compromise in his ongoing conflict with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike.
The action was taken just 48 hours after a fourth peace agreement was facilitated by President Bola Tinubu, intended to address the ongoing discord between the two parties.
The anticipated development is likely to lead to a reshuffling of the cabinet, with a new list of commissioner nominees expected to be sent to the Rivers State House of Assembly for evaluation and approval.
Political analysts see the dissolution as a strategic move to prevent the possibility of renewed impeachment actions, following reports that the Assembly had issued a warning to both the governor and his deputy.
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Nevertheless, some community members contend that in addition to the peace agreement, there is a pressing need for transparency and accountability, especially as government activities have seemingly slowed down since the crisis began on October 31, 2023.
Speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday, the RFM leadership claimed that trillions of naira had come into the state during the reviewed period, expressing discontent over what they called the conversion of public resources into “personal empires” through exaggerated and dubious projects.
The organization called for a full audit of all financial activities conducted in the name of development.
They also criticized what they referred to as the “cartelisation” of the state’s wealth, cautioning that the consolidation of resources among a select few has worsened the difficulties faced by residents.
Characterizing the state’s socio-economic path over the last decade as alarming, the group claimed that there has been a transition from collective governance to individualized political dominance.
RFM also voiced its worries regarding unemployment in the state, referencing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) According to the report, Rivers’ unemployment rate stands at 13.4 percent. The report indicated that this statistic emphasizes the critical need to shift governance focus towards fostering economic inclusion and generating jobs.
