Is Labour Party Falling Under Wike’s Influence? Ituboh’s Connection with FCT Minister Fuels Speculation

Recent photos of Mrs. Beatrice Ituboh, the 2023 Labour Party gubernatorial candidate and former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, have ignited speculation across Rivers State.

Captured at Wike’s Abuja residence, these images have raised eyebrows among supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Observers suggest that Ituboh’s engagement with Wike might signal an alignment with the FCT Minister amid the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers. This development is surprising given Ituboh’s previous support for Fubara, exemplified by her withdrawal of a Supreme Court petition challenging his election.

With local government elections approaching, concerns are growing that Wike, who remains affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may have extended his influence to the Labour Party’s structures in Rivers. This mirrors his alleged strategy of infiltrating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state by installing Tony Okocha as the State Caretaker Committee Chairman.

Meanwhile, Hilda Dokubo, the Rivers State Labour Party Chairman, is battling rumors of her dismissal from the position. Ituboh’s recent association with Wike surprises critics, especially given her past leadership of the NLC, during which civil servants faced stagnation and unaddressed salary issues. Wike had previously cited a strained relationship with Ituboh as the reason for his reluctance to improve civil servant conditions.

In a recent interview, Ituboh criticized Wike for his alleged neglect of Rivers State workers, stating that his administration showed blatant disregard for their welfare. She had contested the 2023 governorship election partly due to what she perceived as Wike’s antipathy towards state employees.

Before her Labour Party candidacy, Ituboh had been a prominent NLC figure, known for her confrontations with Wike over worker issues. Despite finishing fourth in the 2023 gubernatorial race and losing her subsequent legal challenges against Fubara, Ituboh withdrew her Supreme Court case shortly after meeting with the Governor.