Behind the Akpabio, Wike Cold War

A simmering political cold war has reportedly deepened between two powerful South-South figures, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike over alleged disagreements connected to the controversial six-month administration of Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas (rtd) in Rivers State.

Sources familiar with the situation said Wike is unhappy with Akpabio over what he perceives as a failure by the Senate President to defend his political interests when the National Assembly moved to probe Ibas’ tenure as sole administrator of the state. Although Wike has not confronted Akpabio directly, his displeasure is said to have been communicated through Rivers lawmakers loyal to him, who now reportedly show indifference toward the Senate President.

Tensions escalated after both the Senate and the House of Representatives resolved to investigate allegations that Ibas misappropriated N283.3 billion in federal allocations during his six-month stewardship of Rivers State. Akpabio’s public assurance that the National Assembly would act on the allegations was interpreted by Wike and his allies as a direct political affront, having expected that the calls for investigation would be ignored.

Despite their outward displays of unity, insiders say both men now quietly view each other as rivals competing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s confidence and political influence in the South-South. Beneath the fallout, the source noted, lies a struggle for supremacy over who becomes the President’s most trusted ally in the region.

Months into the silent standoff, neither Akpabio nor Wike has made any serious move toward reconciliation. Akpabio, according to sources, believes Wike’s influence within the Tinubu administration is on the decline, making peace efforts less compelling at this stage.