Former Presidential Spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has said the political crisis plaguing Rivers State has reached a stage where it could seriously damage the country’s democracy.
Mr Okupe said in an interview on Sunday that the crisis could destabilize the country if not resolved quickly. He described the feud between Rivers Governor Siminalai Hubala and his predecessor, FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, and the resulting political tension in the state as unfortunate.
“If we go back in our memories, some will sadly note that the feud between Wike and Hubala was comparable to the feud between the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the then Western Region Premier, Chief Samuel Akintola. There will be.
“At the time, this crisis was remote and limited, but it was one of the precursors to the collapse of the republic. Before it got completely out of hand, the good people of the federal government and Rivers, and It would be wise for the whole country to tackle this issue,” Mr Okupe said.
According to him, it is clear that only political solutions, no matter how difficult, are effective in solving all problems and all aspects of the crisis.
Mr Wike and his successor Mr Hubala have been engaged in a political battle for control of the state in recent months, creating tension in the state and polarizing the state parliament.
The crisis worsened after the October 5 municipal elections, resulting in the violent destruction of some municipal council offices by political thugs.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld a lower court’s ruling, invalidating the state’s 2024 budget signed and administered by Hubara, adding to the uncertainty.
The N800 billion budget was passed in December 2023 by a faction in the state House of Representatives loyal to Mr Hubala led by Edison Ehie.
