With Governor Sim Fubara declaring yesterday that “I have gone back to our family,” the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike has apparently won what had been a grueling contestation for the soul of Rivers State. This is not the case with his fellow Abuja politicians whose estranged godsons seem to have swept the rug from under their feet at the home front.

A roforofo fight is a Nigerian Pidgin term that refers to a chaotic, dirty, or unrefined public brawl or mud-slinging contest. One instance that has been brewing and literally took centerstage by being brought to Abuja is the faceoff between Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and his predecessor, Minister Dave Umahi.

A dramatic scene played out in Abuja on Monday when Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi from Ebonyi North Senatorial District disrupted a rally organised by members of the APC from Ebonyi State because one of the leaders was putting on an APGA-branded shirt. He flagged that as an anti-party activity which will not be tolerated.

What played out at the rally is believed to be an escalation of the shadow boxing between the interests of Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Minister of Works, David Umahi. It’s a fallout from the APC primaries when the Governor’s loyalists secured the party’s tickets forcing Umahi and his people to pitch their tent with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The Governor had in May denied any political rift with Umahi, attributing thespeculation to those “fanning the embers of discord.” The optics look different and it is said in politics never believe a thing until it has been denied.

The rift between Benue State’s biggest politicians has become so protracted that it has defied various mediatory efforts. It was reported in May that President Bola Tinubu has directed SGF George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia to resolve their issues without further delay.

By the power-sharing arrangement brokered between the duo after the postponement of their April 30th meeting, Alia will be allowed a return ticket, while Akume - who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation - will be allowed to nominate most of the National Assembly members.

Rivers has proven to be a standout case as Governor Fubara declared yesterday that “We have made peace in the state and we have a total agreement”. This was as he gleefully endorsed OK Chinda primed by Wike to take the Governor’s seat. Wike’s win is decisive because while Alia and Nwifuru are on the ballot for next year’s gubernatorial poll, Fubara won’t be contesting despite still being entitled to a second term of four years.

What do you think is responsible for this, and will the Wike playbook work for Umahi and Akume in Ebonyi and Benue States respectively?