Agbakoba slams political class over rivers crisis, says leaders have no interest in citizens
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has criticised politicians over the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the political class of prioritising personal ambition over the welfare of citizens.
Agbakoba described the situation in the oil-rich state as “toxic”, saying it exposed a lack of genuine concern for governance and the people of Rivers.
According to him, the dispute surrounding Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, is driven largely by power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections rather than any ideological or governance differences.
“What’s going on is a clear indication that our political class has no interest in Nigerians,” Agbakoba said. “I have not heard in any of all these disputes that these people understand that they are governing Nigeria, and in particular, Rivers people.”
He expressed confusion over the persistence of the crisis, noting that Governor Fubara had already resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move widely seen as an attempt to ease tensions.
“First, the governor was in the PDP, and Mr Nyesom Wike was pursuing him. He bent over backwards, resigned from PDP, and went into APC. So what is the problem?” he asked. “I just don’t understand it, except it’s a power fight for 2027.”
Agbakoba said he was not aligned with either side in the dispute but found the continued confrontation difficult to justify.
“I don’t support Wike or Fubara. I don’t care for any of them. But if Fubara was elected on the PDP and he was forced out of the PDP into the APC, then what again is the issue? It’s difficult to understand,” he added.
The senior lawyer also reminded politicians that their authority derives from the electorate and urged them to prioritise the interests of Rivers residents.
“Could they kindly remember that they were elected by the votes of the Rivers people? Rivers people will be terribly disappointed in what’s going on, because it’s as if no one exists in Rivers State except Fubara, Wike, and the political class,” he said.
Rivers State has been embroiled in a prolonged political crisis following a breakdown in relations between Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly believed to be loyal to Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Last Thursday, lawmakers led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
The notice of impeachment, presented by Majority Leader Major Jack and signed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of multiple acts of gross misconduct. The allegations include spending more than ₦800 billion outside the approved budget without legislative consent, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, demolishing the Assembly complex, and defying Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
A separate notice was also issued against the deputy governor, accusing her of collaborating in what lawmakers described as unconstitutional financial expenditures.