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| Activist VeryDarkMan calls out Wike’s new regime |
In a recent social media outburst, Nigeria activist VeryDarkMan slammed former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike for embracing the very godfatherism he once decried . He mocked Wike’s self-description as “a boy” and warned that a lone ruler can crush democracy.
Early this year, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month emergency in Rivers State. He suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy under constitutional powers to restore order . The move placed retired Vice-Admiral Ibokette Ibas in charge as administrator until September .
Barely a week ago, Fubara called on his base to swallow a bitter peace deal. He described the terms as heavy but said they were needed to keep Rivers stable . He urged his supporters to back the pact brokered by President Tinubu.
VeryDarkMan seized on this turn of events. He noted that Wike once backed Lagos State against godfatherism. He now stands at the center of a new power web . The activist argued that true democracy cannot thrive under such one-sided compacts.
Experts say godfatherism has long wounded Rivers democracy. A recent survey of political patterns in the state traced the problem to entrenched patronage networks since 1999 . Those networks often swap power for loyalty, leaving citizens sidelined.
Political analyst Dr. Amina Bello says Wike’s shift is not unique. She points out that many leaders who rail against deep-pocket backers end up leaning on them once in office . She warns that such moves hollow out public trust.
Observers also note a financial toll. Rivers State revenue fell by nearly 15 percent in the first quarter of 2025, amid the crisis and pipeline attacks . That drop hit local projects and fueled public frustration.
Wike responded to the criticism by highlighting the stability the peace deal brings. In a statement, his team said the pact would free the state from gridlock and boost investment . They added that compromise is vital in any democracy.
Still, grassroots voices remain wary. A Port Harcourt trader told local press she feared that top-down deals shut out ordinary voters. She said real power should rest with the ballot box, not backroom accords .
What comes next hinges on follow-through. Fubara has pledged to preserve projects stalled by the crisis. He named water works and road upgrades among priorities once the emergency lifts .
Meanwhile, VeryDarkMan vows to keep up the pressure. He says activists will watch Wike’s next steps and hold him to account. His rallying cry: no more boys at the wheel of a one-man regime .
The Rivers story shows how battles over power can reshape a state. It asks whether democracy can survive when former foes become kingmakers. Only time and voter action will answer that question.