The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has emphasized that the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State is not an ethnic conflict and cautioned politicians against undermining the ladder that elevated them to their esteemed positions.
Wike made these remarks on Sunday during an interaction with traditional rulers from Ogba land who visited him at his residence in Port Harcourt.
The delegation, led by Nwachukwu Nnam-Obi III, had come to extend congratulations on Wike’s 56th birthday and appealed for peace amid the state’s prevailing crisis.
Addressing the monarchs, Wike expressed his willingness to consider their counsel and embrace peace regarding the political discord in the state.
He underscored that during the last gubernatorial election, the people of the state did not cast their votes along ethnic lines.
Wike asserted, “No politician will fold his hands and allow to be dragged down. I and my team would accept peace, but we won’t allow ourselves to be dragged down because when we go down, who will protect our people? Who will talk about our own interest?”
“In everywhere you are, even in the traditional institutions, there are rules. You can’t run away from them. In a political group, there are rules.
“You cannot say that because an Oba has emerged and then an Oba will not follow the rules of the traditional institution.
“No! An Oba will always obey the rules. So also in politics, there are things you must not do and there are things you must not do.
“Don’t pull the ladder that you used in climbing. When you are coming down, the ladder may not be there. Also leave the ladder so that other people can also climb the ladder,” he stated
Wike’s recent discord with his political protégé, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has escalated into a series of conflicts, including the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex and an attempt to impeach Fubara. This tension culminated in the defection of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
