• Says Tinubu’s emergency rule saves Fubara, Rivers
By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Chinelo Obogo
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he would forgive and reconcile with the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, if the latter genuinely seeks forgiveness.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State said it is only sincere contrition on the part of Fubara that could bring about any reconciliation between them.
The relationship between Wike and his successor took a turn for the worse in recent months following political disagreements. His words: “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.
“People must say the truth. The governor is gone. They are all gone… If there’s anybody they should be worshipping, it is Mr. President. Everybody should go to Mr. President and say, ‘can we wash your feet for saving us?’ How? “The Supreme Court has said nobody can go to the local government when the person is not democratically elected, and no money will go to the state without appropriation. In that situation, all institutions will be shut down, health there will be in crisis, and education will be in crisis. I am saying as a politician, it is not in my place to make it easy for the governor. “As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power play. The point I’m trying to make is that Mr. President came and saved the situation, saved Rivers people.” Wike stated that impeaching a governor does not constitute a calamity or coup, noting that it is in the constitution that a governor can be impeached.
“I didn’t tell anybody that I am a Pastor or Imam. It is a power thing. The point I am making is that Mr President saved the situation. So, they should thank Mr. President for saving them,” he said.