Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has maintained a noticeable absence from the political landscape of Rivers State amid the escalating tensions between his successor, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, reports Daily Trust Saturday.
Amaechi, who previously served as Minister for Transport in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and governed Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, has a history of strained relations with Wike, who succeeded him as governor from 2015 to 2023.
Despite being a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Amaechi has gradually distanced himself from party affairs, especially after his unsuccessful bid for the party’s presidential ticket and the defeat of his preferred candidate, Tonye Cole, by Fubara, who had Wike’s support.
However, amid the fallout between Wike and Fubara, many anticipated Amaechi to align with Fubara, given his longstanding animosity towards Wike. Surprisingly, Amaechi has remained silent even as the APC National Working Committee dissolved the Rivers APC state executive council, which was loyal to him, and installed a caretaker committee aligned with Wike.
Eze Chukwuemeka, an APC chieftain and ally of Amaechi, described the dissolution of the party’s leadership in the state as an attempt to undermine Amaechi’s political influence. He emphasized that Amaechi’s silence shouldn’t be mistaken for acquiescence, stating that Amaechi is allowing the people of Rivers State to judge the contrasting leadership styles of Wike and himself.
Despite expectations for Amaechi to exploit the rift between Wike and Fubara, he has refrained from making public statements or taking sides. Instead, he has focused on his legal studies and was recently admitted to the Nigerian Bar.
Other leaders of the APC in Rivers State have also refrained from commenting on the political crisis, leading observers to speculate about their strategy. Senator Magnus Abe, who returned to the APC from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has also chosen not to weigh in on the situation.
A media aide to Amaechi reiterated that Amaechi’s silence is strategic, allowing the people of Rivers State to evaluate the competing leadership styles. He dismissed claims of Wike’s loyalists taking over the APC in the state, asserting Amaechi’s enduring influence in Rivers State politics.
Despite calls for Amaechi to speak out, his associates maintain that he is a man of principle who will address the situation at the appropriate time. Former APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Darlington Nwauju, emphasized Amaechi’s cautious approach and hinted at potential legal recourse regarding the APC leadership dispute.