‘I wanted Fubara’s removal not suspended’ – Wike upsets with emergency rule in Rivers
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction with the presidential declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
During a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike stated that he was not pleased with the emergency rule, which he believes is not the desired outcome amid the ongoing political crisis.
“I am not happy with the state of emergency,” remarked the former governor of Rivers State.
The Informant247 had last month reported how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency following an ongoing political crisis and heightened security concerns, including recent pipeline explosions.
The president’s decision led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months. He deemed the approach as “inevitably compelling” based on security assessments.
Instead of suspending officials, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until the crisis was resolved, igniting considerable nationwide debate.
During the media session, Wike, who previously held the governorship of Rivers, clarified that he desired the outright removal of Fubara, saying, “As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.”
Wike acknowledged the ongoing court matter but emphasized the need for honesty regarding Fubara’s situation.
“The governor was gone. It is not on my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable, and that is why there is power play,” he added.
The conflict between Wike and Fubara has persisted since the latter assumed office, primarily driven by a rivalry for control over the state’s political and structural resources.
This rift has affected the state House of Assembly, resulting in 27 suspended members defecting to the All Progressives Congress, further complicating the political landscape with the emergence of factional speakers and a parallel assembly.
Source: PUNCH
