Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, has expressed dissatisfaction with the presidential declaration of a state of emergency in his home state.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Mr. Wike stated that the emergency rule was not his preferred outcome in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
“I am not happy with the state of emergency,” he said.
Last month, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing persistent political instability and escalating security concerns, including recent pipeline explosions. The president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months, appointing Vice Admiral Ibas as sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
President Tinubu described the move as “inevitably compelling” based on security reports, but the decision has sparked widespread debate across Nigeria.
Mr. Wike, who has been a key figure in the Rivers State political landscape, revealed that he had initially sought the outright removal of Governor Fubara. However, he acknowledged that the president’s decision to declare a state of emergency was made “to prevent anarchy in the state.”
“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,” Mr. Wike said.
He also added, “As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power plane.”
The political crisis in Rivers State stems from a power struggle between Mr. Wike and Governor Fubara, who were previously allies. The dispute has also involved the state’s House of Assembly, with 27 suspended members defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the emergence of factional speakers and a parallel assembly.
The situation has created significant political tension in Rivers State and raised concerns about stability in the region.
Add Comment