According to a report by The Cable on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, few political expressions have been repeated with as much confidence in recent Nigerian discourse as Nyesom Wike’s favourite line: a deal must be honoured. He delivers it with finality, as though the matter is beyond debate. Yet, as the political standoff in Rivers State deepens, that assertion has provoked a far more serious national conversation. Nigerians are no longer interested in slogans; they want to know the substance behind them. What exactly was agreed, and who were the real signatories?
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The conflict between the former Rivers governor and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, has clearly moved beyond personal rivalry. What began as internal party tension has evolved into a full-blown constitutional crisis. Lawmakers aligned with Wike, led by Speaker Martin Amawhule, have initiated impeachment proceedings against both the governor and his deputy, despite their reinstatement after a six-month suspension triggered by an emergency intervention.
Wike has made no secret of his closeness to this bloc of legislators. He has also publicly admitted that backing Fubara for governor was a decision he regrets. These admissions matter. They reinforce the perception that the impeachment push is less about alleged constitutional breaches and more about enforcing political commitments believed to have been violated.
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Public anxiety has intensified because of the possible outcome. If both the governor and his deputy are removed, the speaker widely regarded as loyal to Wike would assume the governorship. That prospect raises uncomfortable questions. When political actors justify drastic actions by referencing undisclosed arrangements, citizens are entitled to demand answers. Were these arrangements about power-sharing, financial control, loyalty, or influence beyond the limits of the constitution?
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