ENUGU, NIGERIA (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has sharply criticised the political actors involved in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, describing the situation as evidence that Nigeria’s political class has little regard for the welfare of citizens.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Agbakoba said the prolonged standoff among political leaders in the oil-rich state revealed a pattern of selfishness and power-driven rivalry rather than genuine concern for governance and public service.
According to him, none of the parties involved appears focused on the responsibility of governing the people of Rivers State, arguing that the crisis has been reduced to a contest of personal and political interests.
Agbakoba described the situation as “toxic,” noting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s political journey from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), should ordinarily have resolved tensions, yet the conflict persists.
He questioned the rationale behind the continued hostility, insisting that the dispute could only be explained as a struggle for political control ahead of the 2027 general election.
The senior lawyer lamented that politicians across different parties were more interested in themselves than in the country, stressing that governance has been sidelined by internal power battles.
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Agbakoba said he held no allegiance to either the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, or governor Fubara, but maintained that once the governor had altered his political alignment, the basis for the conflict became unclear.
He reminded political leaders that their authority derives solely from the electorate, urging them to remember that the people of Rivers State entrusted them with power through the ballot.
According to him, residents of the state are likely deeply disappointed by developments, as the crisis gives the impression that only political actors matter, while the interests of ordinary citizens have been ignored.
Meanwhile, the Rivers political crisis has intensified with the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, by members of the State House of Assembly.
The lawmakers, believed to be loyal to the former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, initiated the process last Thursday under the leadership of Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented a notice endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accusing the governor of gross misconduct, including alleged extra-budgetary spending exceeding N800 billion without legislative approval.
Other allegations include the withholding of funds due to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and disobedience to Supreme Court judgments relating to legislative autonomy.
A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor, accusing her of complicity in unconstitutional financial expenditures.