On May 15, 2025, a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, descended into chaos as supporters of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara engaged in violent confrontations, highlighting the deepening political crisis in the oil-rich state. The clash underscores the ongoing power struggle between the former allies, threatening stability in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
The incident occurred during a public engagement session organized by the Rivers State Ministry of Youth and Sports at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre. The event, intended to discuss community development, was disrupted when Wike’s loyalists, reportedly led by associates of factional Speaker Martin Amaewhule, confronted Fubara’s supporters, accusing them of undermining the state’s legislative authority.
Eyewitnesses reported that verbal exchanges escalated into physical altercations, with chairs thrown and teargas deployed by security personnel to disperse the crowd. At least 10 injuries were reported, with three individuals hospitalized, though no fatalities occurred. The Rivers State Police Command arrested five individuals, and a curfew was imposed in the area until May 17.
The Wike-Fubara feud, rooted in a 2023 impeachment attempt against Fubara by Wike-backed lawmakers, has split the state’s political landscape. President Bola Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, declaration of a state of emergency, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly, aimed to quell violence but has fueled tensions. Wike, addressing the media on May 12, claimed Fubara initiated reconciliatory moves, visiting him with two APC governors, but insisted on the governor’s outright removal. Fubara, speaking at a tribute event on May 11, expressed reluctance to return to office without public support, citing his commitment to peace.
Rivers, contributing 40% of Nigeria’s oil revenue, faces economic risks from the unrest, with 2024 oil production losses of 200,000 barrels per day due to sabotage. The state’s 2025 budget of ₦1.2 trillion, stalled by legislative disputes, exacerbates infrastructure delays, with 60% of Port Harcourt’s roads unmotorable.