Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, constituted a panel of inquiry to look into the administrations of former governors including that of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, in a move that might escalate tensions between the clashing duo.

Mr Fubara announced the panel of inquiry shortly after senior jurist Dagogo Iboroma took the oath of office as the new Rivers’ attorney-general and commissioner for justice on Monday.

He said that the first assignment of the newly sworn-in attorney-general was to probe the affairs of the state’s ex-governors, a decision he stressed that he won’t rescind.

“Why are we bringing you at this very critical time? You have a big task. We will be setting up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the affairs of governance,” Mr Fubara said on Monday. “So, brace up; I am not going back on it.”

Mr Fubara rode on Mr Wike’s back to emerge the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently the winner of the 2023 polls.

But since then, their relationship has degenerated as each used their allies in the state parliament to disparage the other, even going so far as to try to have Mr Fubara impeached.

As a staunch PDP member, Mr Wike wormed his way into President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet where he was appointed the FCT minister. This appointment retained his political relevance since his two-term governorship tenure ended in May 2023.

Without governorship immunity, Mr Wike can be prosecuted should the panel of inquiry set up by his successor find evidence of financial misdeeds in his administration.