Rivers:lf You Think Wike Is A Villain, Fubara Isn’t A Hero; He Is Equally Villainous - Majeed Dahiru

Majeed Dahiru, a public affairs analyst and columnist, has criticized the oversimplified portrayal of the political turmoil in Rivers State, stating that neither Governor Siminalayi Fubara nor his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, should be regarded as morally superior. 

In an interview with Symfoni TV, Dahiru argued that the public discourse has been marred by selective bias and political narratives that lack nuance.

He pointedly remarked, “If Wike is seen as a villain, it is incorrect to elevate Fubara to the status of a hero; he also has his faults.” This statement aims to dismantle the false narrative of Fubara’s innocence in the ongoing power struggle. Dahiru emphasized that the conflict is not centered on governance or public welfare but revolves around raw political power, control over political structures, and access to state resources.

He described the Rivers crisis as a reflection of a longstanding political culture where previous beneficiaries turn against the very system that aided them. Fubara’s rise from Wike’s political establishment complicates the portrayal of him as a victim of a system he once embraced.

While acknowledging Wike’s aggressive political tactics, Dahiru contended that Fubara has exhibited behaviors detrimental to democratic principles. He asserted that failed attempts at consensus-building and provocative actions have intensified, rather than alleviated, tensions. 

Dahiru cautioned that framing the crisis as a moral dichotomy between good and evil detracts from the systemic issues at play in Rivers politics, such as godfatherism and weak political institutions. He concluded that meaningful progress requires addressing the core issues that prioritize power over dialogue, otherwise Rivers State risks perpetually cycling through conflicts driven by elite competition rather than genuine public needs.