Former governorship candidate Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu has described the ongoing impeachment crisis in Rivers State as a direct consequence of Nigeria’s entrenched money politics, warning that the failure to remove money from governance will continue to undermine democracy.
Speaking on ARISE News on Friday, Sarumi Aliyu said the political tension surrounding Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political ally, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was less about ideology or governance and more about financial control.
“I have always said since the time I went into politics that we need to put an end to money politics. If you dig deep into what is happening, it is all about money,” she said.
According to her, the high cost of elections in Nigeria fuels godfatherism and power struggles after victory at the polls.
“In Nigeria, you need to spend billions and billions of naira to become a governor. So definitely there will be drama. One person makes you governor, and then that person wants to control you,” Sarumi Aliyu stated.
She suggested that unspoken agreements often precede elections, only to unravel once power is secured.
“Probably there was an agreement: ‘Once I make you governor, you will do X, Y and Z.’ Then the person gets there and forgets who put him there, or he has other plans,” she said, describing the situation as “a shame” and “terrible for Nigeria’s democracy.”
Drawing from personal experience, Sarumi Aliyu revealed she faced similar pressures during her own governorship bid.
“I went through it big time. It was made clear to me that if I did not pay people to vote, I would not be elected,” she said.
She added that she rejected such demands outright.
“I told them not to worry. When you are ready to choose a credible candidate who will give you good governance and not be a puppet, then I will be there.”
On the issue of political godfatherism, Sarumi Aliyu said she had mentors but not controllers.
“I had godfathers and godmothers, but they were not the type that dictated what I should do. I had good people like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Yeye Alabalosun,” she said.
Turning to the current Rivers crisis, Sarumi Aliyu—now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—said continued infighting within the ruling party could benefit the opposition, provided it does not worsen conditions for citizens.
“As a political strategist for my party, it is fantastic if they continue to fight, as long as it does not affect the people of Rivers State,” she said.
She argued that the turmoil presents an opening for opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
“It will be good for our candidates in the ADC to step up their game in Rivers State and ensure we can take over in 2027.”
However, she criticised what she described as inconsistency by the ruling party.
“It is not nice how the ruling party initially supported Minister Wike, declared a state of emergency and made a sitting governor look so small. Now the governor aligns with the party, yet the minister is still after him,” she said.
Sarumi Aliyu advised political actors to prioritise stability and electoral strategy.
“If they want to be smart, they need to stop the fight and focus on re-election,” she said.
On internal reforms within the ADC, Sarumi Aliyu said the party’s ongoing constitution review must translate into genuine inclusion for women and young people.
“ADC needs to fulfil its promise of 30 per cent slots for women and 30 per cent for youths. If they do that, it will be a win-win. If they don’t, it will backfire,” she warned.
She said her decision to join the ADC was driven by the belief that the party would offer a level playing field.
“I joined ADC because I believe they will give women the opportunity to contest, and we are going to contest,” she said.
Sarumi Aliyu also rejected calls for aspirants to step down for others, insisting on open competition.
“I do not believe in asking anyone to step down for another person. Everybody should come into the race. No sentiments.”
Addressing the broader opposition landscape, she dismissed the relevance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arguing that fragmentation among opposition parties would only strengthen the ruling APC.
“We cannot have three parties going into a race. It has to be APC versus ADC. PDP is gone—finished,” she said.
She stressed that unity was critical if the opposition hopes to unseat the ruling party.
“If we do not get it right now, we will fail to remove the ruling party. We must join hands and be stronger together.”
Sarumi Aliyu concluded that without structural reform, credible primaries and reduced influence of money, Nigeria would continue to recycle political crises rather than resolve them.
Boluwatife Enome
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