The political stand off between Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike is daily assuming a frightening dimension ahead of the 2027 general election.
Twice the peace brokered between the two former ‘father and son’ had broken down and both are now in different political parties, further widening the gulf between them.
What is heightening the already over charged political tension is the insistence of the minister that Fubara must not seek a second term in accordance with an ‘agreement’ prior to the lifting of the emergency rule in September 2025.
It was however gathered that some influential elements in APC had weighed in and convinced President Tinubu to backtrack on the one term agreement, thus opening a leeway for Fubara to seek a second term.
It was also learnt that it was after this assurance of second term was sealed before the president at Aso Villa that Governor Fubara came back and announced his defection to the APC with the refrain that he is now the 001 in the APC, a claim the minister finds very infuriating.
While both camps, (Wike and Fubara) continue to engage in verbal war, one time commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Nwibubasa Leloonu engaged the AriseTV crew for a live interview on Friday night.
It was however gathered that political thugs invaded Londa Hotel in the Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State where the interview was holding and forcefully disrupting the program, and carting away broadcast equipment.
Dr. Nwibubasa it was learnt was speaking on the prevailing political situation in Rivers State when the attackers reportedly broke into several rooms within the hotel, chanting in a local language and searching for both the former commissioner and the Arise cameraman.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, who were allegedly armed, forced doors open, seized guests’ mobile phones and caused panic among hotel workers and occupants, who fled in different directions for fear of attack.
The attackers later located the spot where the interview was ongoing and allegedly threatened Dr. Nwibubasa and the Arise News crew, ordering them to discontinue the live broadcast. The crew was forced to halt the interview under duress.
In the chaos, the Arise team reportedly sent a distress alert to a colleague, who immediately notified the police and rushed to the hotel. Security operatives later arrived at the scene.
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It was gathered that the assailants made away with a Sony Canada Zed 280 camera, an industrial tripod, a wireless microphone and other broadcast accessories belonging to the television station.
It was gathered that Police authorities have taken statements from the victims and other witnesses as investigations commence.
Interestingly, it was learnt that the same Arise News crew had earlier on Friday covered a public event in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, attended by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Reacting to the incident, Dr. Nwibubasa strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an affront to press freedom and democratic practice. He said such acts of intimidation were unhealthy for democracy and called on security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.
As at press time, the police had yet to issue any statement on the incident.
