Hilda Dokubo, the Chairperson of the Rivers State Labour Party, has stated that the state cannot function with divided leadership. She criticized former Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for continuing to exert control over Rivers’ political affairs despite no longer being in office.
Speaking at a Rivers State Town Hall Meeting, Dokubo addressed the rising tensions within the state’s political landscape. “At one point, we felt the pressure from the statements of individuals within the state,” she said. “The former governor would make comments, and those who support him would echo those sentiments. Similarly, the current governor’s supporters also have their own comments. The recurring question is: who owns the state? Who leads the state? Who is in charge?”
Dokubo firmly rejected the idea of dual leadership. “You cannot have a governor while another person is in charge of the state,” she asserted. “If we have agreed that the governor is in charge, then he should lead.”
She lamented the absence of clear leadership, which she claimed has been replaced by intimidation tactics. “We haven’t experienced true leadership. Instead, we’ve seen threats all over the place—who can do what against whom and who should act against whom,” she explained. “Such threats are detrimental to development, friendships, and the growth of the state and its resources.”
Drawing on historical precedents, Dokubo recalled similar power struggles under previous administrations. “When Governor Peter Odili was in power, there was a point when the focus shifted to ambitions for the presidency, and many of our resources were funneled into political endeavors, neglecting our needs,” she remarked.
She believes this pattern has persisted. “The same situation has repeated with the former governor, now minister; he is misusing our resources,” Dokubo claimed.
Turning her attention to the current administration led by the Sole Administrator, she expressed concerns regarding financial transparency. “If the rumors we hear hold any truth, the current administrator is misappropriating our funds. We have not seen any significant progress in the state over the past two months,” she said.
In conclusion, she emphasized the importance of democratic principles. “We must ask ourselves: Can we allow the people of Rivers State to choose their governor? We have already made our choice through the election; he has been voted in. Can he be allowed to continue? So, we must move forward.”
