The recent photographs of Mrs. Beatrice Ituboh, Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate and former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), with Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, have sparked speculation in Rivers State.
Some observers believe Ituboh may have defected to Wike’s camp in the ongoing political crisis in the state between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
As the local government election approaches in the state, rumours have it that Wike’s romance with Ituboh may indicate his successful capture of the Labour Party’s structures in the state, similar to his alleged influence over the All Progressives Congress (APC) through Tony Okocha.
This has allegedly raised concerns among the Governor’s supporters.
This development comes as a surprise, given Ituboh’s earlier pledge to support Fubara, demonstrated by her withdrawal of the petition against his election at the Supreme Court.
Ituboh, who came fourth in the 2023 governorship election in Rivers State, had approached the tribunal, challenging the election of Governor Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
She lost at the tribunal and went ahead to the Appeal Court where she also lost.
Days after meeting the governor, she announced her decision to discontinue the challenge of the election.
Ituboh’s meeting with Wike is unexpected, considering her past criticism of his administration’s treatment of civil servants during her tenure as NLC Chairperson. She had accused Wike of meting out hatred on Rivers workers, citing the non-payment of gratuities and pensions.
The speculation follows an earlier report regarding the purported removal of Hilda Dokubo as the Labour Party’s Rivers Chairman, a claim she has yet to convincingly refute.
