Yusuf Accuses Wike of Orchestrating Puppet Plot

The political atmosphere in Rivers State has reached a fever pitch as prominent strategist Baba Yusuf levels heavy allegations against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. During a candid appearance on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ programme, Yusuf painted a picture of a calculated, high-stakes power play aimed at dismantling the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Yusuf’s analysis suggests that the current friction in the oil-rich state is no longer a mere disagreement but has devolved into a “fight to the finish.” He contends that the relentless push by the state’s lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against Fubara is the primary weapon in a broader strategy to reclaim total political control over the region.

According to the strategist, Wike has maintained a recalcitrant stance despite repeated attempts at mediation by the presidency. Yusuf noted that even after President Bola Tinubu intervened with measures that arguably favored the Minister’s camp—including the drastic step of suspending certain democratic functions within the state for six months—the hostilities have failed to subside.

The core of the allegation rests on the perceived end-game of the pro-Wike faction. Yusuf argues that the objective is to create a constitutional vacuum through the dual removal of both the Governor and his Deputy. This would trigger specific provisions within the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Referencing Chapter Six, Section 191 of the Constitution, Yusuf explained that in the event of the removal of both the Governor and Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly is mandated to step in as the acting head of the state. He alleged that this is the specific “stooge” play being orchestrated from the shadows.

By removing Fubara, the strategist claims, Wike intends to elevate Martin Amaewhule, the current Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly and a known loyalist, to the position of Acting Governor. This move would effectively return the state’s executive power to Wike’s sphere of influence, bypassing the autonomy Fubara has attempted to exercise since taking office.

The political game board has seen rapid and confusing shifts in recent days. Yusuf pointed out that some lawmakers appeared to be softening their positions earlier in the week, only to make a dramatic “U-turn” back toward aggressive impeachment rhetoric. This volatility, he suggests, indicates a coordinated effort to keep the administration off-balance.

The strategist expressed concern that the democratic institutions of Rivers State are being utilized as tools for personal political vendettas rather than for the governance of the people. He characterized the ongoing saga as a deliberate attempt to upend the current leadership and replace it with a puppet administration that would answer to external interests.

As the legal and political battles continue to unfold, the focus remains on the House of Assembly and whether the push for impeachment will gather enough momentum to bypass the existing judicial and executive hurdles. For now, the “fight to finish” described by Yusuf shows no signs of a peaceful resolution.

The tension in Port Harcourt remains palpable as residents watch the two political titans clash over the soul of the state. With the constitutional clock ticking and the speaker waiting in the wings, the coming weeks will likely determine if Fubara can survive the onslaught or if the predicted “puppet” transition will become a reality.