- Safiu Kehinde
Former Nigerian lawmaker and activist, Sen. Shehu Sani, has given a hint into the current relationship between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
This is coming under the heels of Wike’s warning to Fubara while addressing his supporters in Emohua Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister had in his address warned that Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and solidarity pledge to President Bola Tinubu will not guarantee him automatic re-election.
Wike further faulted the Rivers Governor for declaring himself as the leader of the APC in the state following his registration with the party where he was assigned the number 001.
The Minister talked down Fubara’s leadership claim, stressing that he has no structure.
Reacting to the recent verbal truce between the duo, Sani, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, likened their relationship with that of the popular Tom and Jerry animation series.
“Wike Fubara issue has turned into a Tom and Jerry series.” The former lawmaker wrote.
Tom and Jerry is a classic cartoon that has been beloved by audiences for decades.
The show which debuted in 1940 features the antics of Tom, a mischievous house cat, and Jerry, a clever mouse who always outwits Tom.
The two characters are constantly at odds and engage in a never-ending battle of wits and pranks.
They both share a complex relationship characterised by rivalry, moments of mutual trust, and an underlying bond that transcends their constant conflicts.
The relationship between the two comic characters shares striking resemblance with the Wike-Fubara saga.
Recall that their feud fueled by the Wike-backed Rivers Assembly lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule and Fubara’s supporters had earlier this year led to the declaration of emergency rule in the state on the 18th of March amid unresolved political crisis.
Prior to the emergency rule, Fubara had been at constant face-off with the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers with series of incidents like the suspension of the lawmakers and presentation of the 2025 budget before the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers Assembly.
The conduct of the Rivers Local Government election despite warnings further plunged the state into full blown political crisis as several council secretariats were razed and pipelines vandalised amid rumours of possible impeachment of Fubara.
Wike had also constantly appeared on national TV, accusing Fubara of betrayal while blaming the governor over the unrest in the state before Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration and suspension of the Fubara-led cabinet.
Meanwhile, ahead of Fubara’s return on the 18th of September, Tinubu had brokered truce between the governor and his predecessor.
The truce however seems to likely collapse earlier than expected with Fubara’s recent defection to APC.