The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday hosted a group of suspended Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers in the United Kingdom, sparking fresh reactions amid the ongoing political turmoil in the oil-rich state.
According to a social media update by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the lawmakers—currently on a legislative capacity building tour in the UK—were honored with a dinner by the former Rivers State governor.
“Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner,” Olayinka shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Wike had departed Nigeria on Sunday, shortly after holding private meetings with political associates in Port Harcourt. The UK trip comes amid heightened tension in Rivers State following months of intense political wrangling.
Leading the delegation of lawmakers is Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who launched the 10th Rivers Assembly Legislative Tour last Friday. He described the UK program as a strategic initiative to expose legislators to international best practices in lawmaking and governance.
However, the timing of the tour—and Wike’s involvement—has drawn scrutiny, especially in light of the recent political upheaval that led President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18.
President Tinubu also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly. In their place, he appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as sole administrator for an initial period of six months.
The ongoing crisis in Rivers State stems from a fierce power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which has fractured the state’s political landscape and raised concerns over governance stability.
As developments unfold, observers are watching closely to see whether Wike’s UK engagement with the lawmakers signals a deeper political realignment—or further escalation of the crisis.
