A heated exchange erupted in Port Harcourt on Friday as supporters of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and those of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, clashed during a town hall meeting.
The gathering, which brought together supporters from both camps as well as other Rivers residents, was intended to address the ongoing political tensions in the state.
However, it quickly descended into confrontation following comments by President General of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Bright Amaewhule.
Amaewhule asserted that GDI played a key role in Fubara’s rise to the governorship, claiming the group rallied support for him across local government areas even when he was rejected by his own people.
He also criticized unnamed individuals who allegedly influenced Fubara to turn against his political allies after becoming governor.
In response, Hilda Dokubo, Labour Party Chairperson in Rivers State, walked out in protest, saying, “I can’t sit here and listen to this.” She later returned after being urged by organizers.
Tensions escalated further when Kenwell Ibanibo took the stage, questioning the motivations behind the impeachment attempt against Fubara just five months into his tenure.
He suggested that a powerful figure in the state orchestrated the move. His remarks triggered an uproar from Wike’s supporters, including Chibike Ikenga, the factional Rivers APC Chairman, who interrupted Ibanibo mid-speech.
The verbal sparring intensified, with supporters trading insults. One Wike loyalist shouted, “Insult Wike now! Una go still beg… person wey lie down never stand up una dey talk!” To which Dokubo retorted, “Him no go lie down! I say him no go lie down!”
Despite efforts by the anchor and peace advocate Jake Epelle to restore order, tensions persisted until Ibanibo offered to step down from the podium temporarily, calming the situation and allowing the meeting to continue.
Later in the event, Niger Delta activist Ann-Kio Briggs clashed with Ikenga after he attempted to interrupt her.
She sharply responded, “I don’t know when you spoke, but I did not interrupt you, please leave me be. If I don’t speak for you, I speak for myself.”
The confrontations reflect the fragile peace in Rivers State despite an ongoing reconciliation process.
With deep political rifts still evident, it remains uncertain whether lasting peace can be achieved anytime soon.
