In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, criticized Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for being the cause of violence in the state due to his defiance of a court judgment. Wike emphasized that while he does not directly blame Governor Fubara, he believes the governor’s actions have contributed to unrest in Rivers.
During the interview, Wike stated, “Who is the perpetrator of the violence? I am not blaming the Governor, but he is the architect of the violence in the state.” He also pointed out that his own supporters were not involved in any disorder, highlighting that he was in Abuja on the day of the election, not in Rivers State.
The former governor also aimed Governor Fubara’s refusal to comply with a court ruling, which Wike says led to the breakdown of law and order. He stressed the importance of adhering to legal judgments to maintain peace, stating, “You must obey the judgment of the court. The moment you don’t obey court judgment, you are inviting anarchy, you are inviting violence.”
Wike further revealed that the current crisis stems from Governor Fubara’s attempt to oust the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, a move that backfired. Dismissing claims of any personal vendetta, Wike added, “Has he ever told you that I said, ‘Pay me this one naira,’ and that is why I’m fighting him?”
The situation in Rivers State has escalated following the recent local government elections, where political thugs, allegedly loyal to Wike, protested the results. The violence resulted in the deaths of five people and the destruction of three local government secretariats in post-election clashes.
