PORT HARCOURT — The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a dramatic twist as Chisom Gbali, Commissioner for Youth under the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alleged a covert plan to extend the controversial emergency rule in the state — a move he warns could completely dismantle the democratic structure.
Appearing on AriseTV on Monday, Gbali made bold claims about the intentions behind the ongoing political maneuvers.
“There is a plan to extend it,” he stated. “Before the six months are over, they intend to create unrest that would force the President to make another pronouncement — and that would mark the end of this administration.”
Gbali suggested that actions taken behind closed doors — including halting ongoing projects and pushing for a new budget — are signs of a deeper plot to destabilize governance in the state.
“Even the person sent to make peace is now pushing to appoint sole administrators at the local government level,” he noted, raising alarms about the erosion of democratic institutions.
He laid the blame squarely on former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, alleging that he, alongside loyalists in the state assembly and expired local government executives, is behind the orchestration.
“They are threatened by the achievements of Governor Fubara. That’s why they are doing everything possible to disrupt the administration,” he said.
Gbali didn’t spare President Bola Tinubu in his critique. He questioned the President’s involvement in Rivers State’s affairs while ignoring more urgent national security crises.
“People are dying in Plateau State every day, yet no state of emergency was declared there,” he said. “But in Rivers State, where there was no violence, no loss of life, an emergency was declared. Why?”
According to Gbali, the underlying goal is to weaken political opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, and Rivers State has become a battleground for a larger political war.
“This is all about 2027. They want to silence Fubara before the elections. That’s why Nigerians are calling on the President to reverse this dangerous course.”
The tenure of Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) is set to expire in September 2025, but many now fear that political actors could manufacture fresh unrest to justify prolonging the emergency rule.
“If the courts and the people do not act fast,” Gbali warned, “this could set a precedent that threatens democracy across the country.
