Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike revealed that he had advocated for the outright removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara instead of the current intervention.
Last month, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing persistent political instability and escalating security threats, including pipeline explosions. The president suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months. In their place, Vice Admiral Ibas was appointed as sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs pending resolution of the crisis—a move that has sparked nationwide debate.
Wike, who served as the immediate past governor of Rivers State, stated that while he was not pleased with the emergency rule, he believed it was necessary to prevent anarchy.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers State. I wanted the outright removal of the governor,” Wike said. “But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.
“The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him. Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
The strained relationship between Wike and Fubara dates back to when Fubara assumed office as governor. Their feud stems from a power struggle over control of the state’s political and structural resources. The conflict escalated to the point where 27 suspended members of the state House of Assembly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to factional speakers and the emergence of a parallel assembly.
Despite his criticism of the emergency rule, Wike praised President Tinubu’s intervention, emphasizing the need to restore stability and prevent further chaos in Rivers State.
Call to Action (CTA):
Stay informed about the ongoing developments in Rivers State and Nigeria’s political landscape. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media for updates and analysis on key issues shaping the nation.
👉 Subscribe Now | Follow Us | Share This Story