By Muhammad Mamman
A fresh dispute over a proposed supplementary budget has triggered a new round of hostilities between Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, according to information obtained by TheCable.
Sources familiar with the development told TheCable that allies of both political heavyweights clashed over the content and structure of the additional spending plan, reopening tensions that had eased only briefly after months of political turmoil in the state.
The disagreement reportedly began when loyalists of the FCT minister pushed for specific allocations within the budget that the governor’s camp viewed as an attempt to exert influence over state resources. Insiders say Governor Fubara resisted several proposals, arguing that the adjustments did not align with his administration’s priorities.
Political observers note that the dispute quickly escalated, reviving lingering mistrust between the two leaders and raising concerns of a renewed political crisis in Rivers State. Despite interventions by senior political figures in Abuja, both sides appear unwilling to compromise on the structure of the supplementary budget.
Efforts to reach representatives of the minister and the governor for official comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The budget standoff marks the latest flashpoint in a power struggle that has defined Rivers State politics in the past year, with analysts warning that the fallout could once again destabilise governance in one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.
