The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confessed that he pushed for the complete removal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during the recent political crisis that rocked the state.
Wike made this revelation during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, saying that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule and suspend the governor was what saved the state from total collapse.
According to Wike, the president’s intervention through the declaration of a six-month emergency rule and the appointment of a Sole Administrator was the only reason the situation did not spiral into chaos. He admitted, however, that his personal desire was for Fubara to be removed entirely from office.
“As a politician, I’m not happy because I wanted the outright removal of the governor, but for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing,” Wike stated.
He argued that the gravity of the crisis in Rivers was underestimated by many and insisted that the president’s swift action prevented anarchy.
“People must say the truth, the governor was gone, people should be worshipping Mr. President every morning for saving them,” he said.
Wike also referenced constitutional issues that could have exacerbated the crisis, particularly concerning local government funding and the legality of governance without appropriation.
“Mind you, the Supreme Court has said that money should not go to the local government when it’s not democratically elected. Also, the Supreme Court said nobody will go to the state without appropriation,” he explained.
“All institutions will be shut down; it’s not in my place to make it good for the governor as a politician. It’s not in my place to make the governor happy or comfortable, and that’s why there is power play,” Wike continued.
He reiterated that Tinubu’s involvement was not only timely but essential in keeping the state from descending into complete disorder.
“The point I’m trying to make is that Mr. President came in and saved the people of Rivers from that calamity or anarchy,” he said.
Wike concluded by revealing the level of political unrest among lawmakers and his personal effort to engage them, even traveling abroad for consultations.
“People should thank Mr. President because, as a politician, I’m not happy — the Assembly members were not happy, and that’s why I had to go to London to speak to them,” he added.
