Wike reveals Fubara’s sins, gives condition for peace in Rivers
Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has reacted to the latest round of violence in Rivers State, calling out Governor Siminalayi Fubara for being the architect due to his alleged disregard for court orders.
Rivers has been in the spotlight all week following the destruction of four local government secretariats that trailed last Saturday’s council elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Wike traced the genesis of the political crisis in the oil-rich state to Fubara’s attempt to remove the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, in 2023.
He said the plot backfired on the Governor, further widening the state’s leadership divisions.
“Has Fubara told you I demanded any money from him? I have never done that,” the FCT minister stated, dismissing rumours of personal conflict.
“The problem is that he plotted a coup to remove the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and the thing boomeranged against him,” he added.
Wike gives condition for peace in Rivers
Wike further advised his successor to respect the rule of law and obey court judgements, warning that failure could worsen the crisis.
“Who is the perpetrator of the violence, I am not blaming the Governor, but he is the architect of the violence in the state.
“Did you see my supporters causing the mayhem, those shouting No Wike, No Rivers, is not my business. I was in Abuja and not in Rivers on the day of the election.
“I was a governor, I have always obeyed the rule of law. You heard the governor say that our state is turning into a state of anarchy where people do not obey the rule of law.”
“You must obey the judgment of the court. You must not take the law into your own hands. The moment you don’t obey court judgment, you are inviting anarchy, you are inviting violence,” he added.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has vowed to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the recent violent destructions in the state.
No fewer than five people were reported dead and many injured as armed thugs ransacked four local governments, including Eleme, Ikwerre, Ahoada East, and Emohua.
The Governor has set up a judicial panel of inquiry to unravel the cause of the mayhem and bring perpetrators to book.
However, Wike condemned the move, saying “The governor said he knew who masterminded the attack. Why then waste public funds to investigate what you said you know?”
Recall that Fubara had earlier expressed concern over the failure of President Bola Tinubu to call out Wike in his reaction to the latest crisis in the South-South State.
“I do not have any issue with it (the President’s intervention) but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned.
“The issue is very simple. It’s as simple as ABC, everyone in Nigeria, everyone in Rivers State knows where this issue is coming from. It’s not rocket science. We know what the issue is and the issue is not Fubara, it is not.
“I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the Inspector General of Police, maybe we will have a breathing space.
“Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats might be one of the reasons they (hoodlums) took advantage of the situation but I will appeal that while the men are there, the elected officers should have the opportunity to do their work, at least, let them provide security for them, which was even what I was thinking of,’‘ Fubara said in a media interview.
