Nigeria, Dec. 20 -- When Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), barely 24 hours after visiting President Bola Tinubu, allies described the move as a bold political calculation - a final break from the grip of his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.

But in Rivers, where power has never been settled by party labels alone, the deeper question remains whether crossing to the ruling party can truly end a crisis driven by control of political institutions and demand for loyalty.

Over the past year, the oil-rich state has been more about power than governance - a contest between a sitting governor and the former governor turned Federal Capital Territory minister who helped install hi...