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Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • Rivers also needs “Lagos Treatment”

    Rivers also needs “Lagos Treatment”

    President Bola Tinubu is expected to bring his “magic touch” to fix the Rivers State political crisis just as he did in dousing the heat rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    In the Lagos case, the president’s intervention was in favour of reinstating Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker while his opponent, Mojisola Meranda, reverts to her position as Deputy Speaker. Tinubu soothed frayed nerves in the two camps by inviting them to the State House in Abuja and the two sides came out of the meeting singing his praises, showing the crisis was apparently over.

    Following the Supreme Court verdict that recognised the Martin Amaewhule-led 27-member House of Assembly and the stoppage of federal allocations to Rivers State until the Court’s verdicts are fully implemented, the question arose as to how to proceed without worsening the situation.

    While Governor Siminalayi Fubara had pledged to implement the judgement to the letter and cooperate with the pro-Wike House of Assembly, the latter appears determined to double down on the advantage offered by the verdict. This is understandable because Governor Fubara had used his executive powers to sideline them since the crisis started about 16 months ago. They appear set to start impeachment proceedings against him.

    This situation is stoking ethnic sentiments that were largely under wraps in the state since the return of civil rule in 1999. Some pro-Fubara Ijaw groups have been breathing fire and brimstone if the governor is removed, a threat that Wike waved aside in a recent media briefing.

    We are worried over this unhealthy build-up. We strongly believe that the Supreme Court verdict, no matter how unpalatable it might seem to some, can be implemented without compromising the peace and development of Rivers State. This can only be achieved if all sides resist the temptation of riding rough-shod over the others to press home their seeming advantage.

    In this kind of situation, “might” may not be “right”. The two sides may not be in the mood to exercise diplomacy and implement the verdict through consensus. That was exactly the situation that the Lagos Assemblymen and women found themselves in until the president intervened in a fatherly manner.

    We call on him to adopt the same attitude towards the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in Rivers State. We suggest the president holds private talks with Governor Fubara and Minister Wike and commits them to peace and hold them responsible in case of a breach of the peace.

    All court cases should be withdrawn, the impeachment threat against the Governor must be dropped, while the entire House of Assembly should reconvene under Amaewhule. Outstanding entitlements of the 27 lawmakers must be paid.

    No side should be allowed to push its luck too far. Everything must be done to preserve the peace.

  • Rivers’ Crisis: Tinubu’s ‘Rule of Law’ plea ignites fury

    Rivers’ Crisis: Tinubu’s ‘Rule of Law’ plea ignites fury

    This week, President Bola Tinubu addressed the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the State House, touting the rule of law as his fix for the Rivers State crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. His plea comes as Nigeria’s judiciary stumbles—plagued by corruption, conflicting rulings, and political influence—raising doubts about the courts the government champions.

    Voices from Abuja and beyond weighed in, blending hope with skepticism.

    However, President Tinubu stood firm: “I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers, and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes.

    “I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals. Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet members here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset, and a recalibration of the economic fortune.

    “Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg.

    “I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State. I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened. We reached an agreement, a written agreement, and both parties signed.

    “It is sad we find ourselves in this situation today. This is a nation with a rule of law. I should not be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if there is no rule of law.

    “I have total confidence in our judiciary. Now, the Supreme Court has spoken—that is it.”

    He referenced a signed agreement to end the crisis, blaming conflicting court rulings and ‘misleading advice’ to Fubara for its collapse, urging PANDEF to counsel the governor for peace.

    The President continued, “Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability.

    “Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected.

    “We cannot achieve Eldorado in one day. But we are on the path to it. We will succeed by the grace of God Almighty. We are resetting the economy, and it looks far better. We have funds for our children in college. Our medical colleges are also getting equipped.

    “The ongoing coastal road project will create new economic benefits for the Niger Delta and the country. We are already working with international companies to build ports in the Niger Delta States.

    “I have seen what you have tolerated in the region. Community development is very close to my heart. The leader of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more. He is your son. We are all proud of him.

    “Yes, there are lots of misadventurers around Nigeria on democracy. We will continue to work on preserving the integrity and character of our legislators. I sincerely thank you for bringing up those issues.”

    However. here are what Nigerians are saying in separate responses:

    Agreement was a death warrant – Rufai Oseni

    Oseni branded Tinubu’s mediation a sham, exposing judicial flaws that fuel skepticism. He blasted: “”I disagree with President Tinubu. The so-called agreement that President Tinubu suggested Fubara should sign was effectively a death warrant. It is the same death warrant they are attempting to execute now. Initially, the main point of contention was impeachment. Then, the lawmakers defected in order to prepare everything. That agreement was not a safeguard against impeachment; rather, it was to ‘cede all powers to the lawmakers’, who would then return to undermine Fubara. Many people opposed this agreement, believing it would ultimately harm him.

    “Furthermore, the circumstances under which he signed were perceived by many as coercive; it was not a viable solution. We then endured the lengthy process of the courts, with numerous cases still pending in relation to the federal high court’s determination regarding the lawmakers’ fate. I have also thoroughly reviewed the Supreme Court judgment. While we must respect the rule of law, we must also acknowledge the heavy-handedness of these lawmakers. The governor wrote a letter, but they rebuffed him. The APC is in turmoil, with Tony Okocha issuing a statement urging them to proceed with impeachment. Meanwhile, Emeka Beke, another factional APC chairman in Rivers State, advised against listening to Okocha.

    “There are no guarantees that these lawmakers, once they assert their authority, will refrain from targeting Fubara. This is fundamentally a power struggle, and we know their affiliations. This is why the people are outraged; the Niger Delta community is voicing their concerns. Ankio Briggs visited recently, and the situation is reminiscent of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It’s not that Ukraine does not want peace, but we are asking: where are the assurances? Where are the ironclad guarantees that Russia will not invade again? They have placed the ball in Russia’s court, and we will see how they respond. This is the same Russia that violated the Minsk agreement, just as the current situation in Rivers mirrors past betrayals. Once these lawmakers consolidate their power, they will undoubtedly target Fubara, and this has always been the concern, even among the elders in Rivers.”

    Tinubu Focused Only on Fubara –
    Reuben Abati, Journalist

    Abati praised Tinubu’s legal stance but flags judicial bias as a reform snag. He said, “President Tinubu met with leaders from the Niger Delta region while breaking his fast, alongside governors, military chiefs, political leaders, and representatives from the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). During this meeting, he made several statements regarding River State that I would like to examine.

    “First, he spoke about the importance of adherence to the rule of law. We cannot fault him on that; respecting the rule of law is essential. He emphasised that the decisions made by the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, should be upheld, asserting the sanctity of the rule of law. In this context, we hope that President Tinubu’s gesture signifies his administration’s commitment to the rule of law.

    “What does the rule of law entail in this case? The Supreme Court has ruled on the River State matter, stating that the local government elections conducted by Governor Fubara on 20 March 2024 were invalid, as was the budget presentation made to a former member of the River State House of Assembly, led by Honourable Jombo.

    Furthermore, the Supreme Court ruled that the 27-member Pro-Wike faction of the River State House of Assembly has not lost their seats. Governor Fubara had previously indicated his intention to abide by the Supreme Court’s decision and reiterated this point yesterday, emphasising that it is in the interest of peace in the state.

    “However, the president advised him to be humble and to ‘stoop to conquer’. This phrase is particularly instructive; as a former literature lecturer, I recall teaching a course titled ‘Shakespeare and His Contemporaries’. The phrase ‘stoop to conquer’ originates from Oliver Goldsmith, during the reign of King George III, suggesting that one can achieve victory by adopting a humble approach. While this is a well-known literary notion, my concern is that President Tinubu seems to have focused solely on Fubara. What about his own minister, Wike, who is reported to be a principal source of the crisis in River State? From what I’ve read, the president did not address the role of his minister, Nyesom Wike, although Chief Ankio-Briggs raised this issue, urging the president to question Minister Wike, asserting that a former governor should not be controlling affairs in River State—a significant concern.

    “At that same occasion, members of the Rivers Elders Forum, led by Chief Rufus Ada-George, a former governor of the state, expressed the need for all parties to set aside their differences in the interest of Rivers State, a sentiment I also support. However, there are factions that do not wish for peace. One group, led by Tony Okocha, who describes himself as the APC’s state chairman, and another called the Sim Worldwide Group or whatever they call themselves, warned that any attempt to impeach Fubara would lead to chaos in the state. This should be the focus of our discussion: who are these individuals intent on causing chaos? Who insists that Fubara must be impeached, even after he has submitted to the will of the political elite? Godfatherism remains a major challenge in Nigerian politics, and it appears that Minister Wike has had his way, with anti-Fubara forces succeeding, and President Tinubu supporting that coalition.

    “The critical question is whether we all desire peace and stability in River State. The people who have suffered the most are the citizens of River State. Without federal government allocations, there has been little development, despite Fubara’s efforts to inaugurate various initiatives. For how long can he sustain this? This is the crux of the issue in River State, and I hope that reason will prevail in the end.”

    It’s Time for Action Now – Mike Ozekhome, SAN

    Ozekhome backed Tinubu’s judicial trust but presses for reform to ensure compliance. He said, “Tinubu’s call for rule of law in Rivers is timely. The judiciary has spoken; now it’s time for action to ensure all parties respect the Supreme Court’s verdict.

    “The President’s revelation of a signed agreement shows his effort, but peace hinges on compliance, not just words.”

    Conflicting Orders Undermine Tinubu – Chukwudi Okeke, Legal Analyst

    Okeke tied judicial chaos to reform delays, undercutting Tinubu’s plan.

    “Tinubu’s faith in the judiciary is commendable, but conflicting court orders in Rivers show the system’s flaws. He must go beyond words and ensure the Supreme Court’s ruling isn’t mocked,” Okeke argued.

    Lip Service Won’t Work – Kunle Olusegun Adebiyi, Barrister

    Adebiyi slammed judicial enforcement gaps as a reform hurdle. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rule of law talk is good, but Amaewhule’s faction barring Fubara from the Assembly hours after shows it’s lip service unless enforced,” he snapped.

    Wike Must Be Called Out – Annkio Briggs, Activist

    Briggs linked Wike’s defiance to a judiciary needing an overhaul. She fumed, “The President’s mediation failed before because Wike didn’t honor it. Telling PANDEF to counsel Fubara alone is one-sided and won’t solve anything. Tinubu knows Rivers is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy; he should stop playing neutral and call Wike to order.”

    Rivers Needs Direct Action – Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Director, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN)

    Akinlosotu urged Tinubu to fix judicial rot for Rivers’ peace. “We welcome Tinubu’s focus on peace and the judiciary, but delegating to PANDEF isn’t enough. Rivers needs his direct hand to stop this madness,” Akinlosotu insisted.

    Enforcement Is Missing Link – Tamuno George Sokari, Spokesperson, Niger Delta People’s Advocacy Group

    Sokari saw judicial weakness as a reform stumbling block. “Tinubu’s ‘rule of law’ talk is hollow when Amaewhule’s faction blocks Fubara from the Assembly. Where’s the enforcement? Rivers is bleeding!” Sokari shouted.

    Wike’s Defiance Undermines Trust – Fatima Mohammed, Civil Rights Advocate

    Mohammed blamed judicial capture for doubts in Tinubu’s approach.“Tinubu mediated before, and it failed. Why should we trust this ‘go counsel Fubara’ line when Wike’s camp keeps defying him?” she demanded.

    Peace Needs More Than Words – Archbishop Israel Usoro, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South-South Zone

    Usoro sought a stronger judiciary to bolster Tinubu’s peace plea. “We commend President Tinubu for urging peace and upholding the judiciary, but we urge him to match his words with action. Rivers’ people deserve peace, not platitudes,” he said.

    Wike Mocks Godly Law – Samuel Chijindu Obi, Pastor

    Obi tied judicial reform to upholding divine justice.

    “Tinubu’s call for law is godly, but Wike’s camp mocks it by barring Fubara. Clergy must pray and speak louder for justice,” Obi preached.

    Peace Requires Real Strength – John Ogunleye, Reverend

    Ogunleye demanded judicial strength for true peace.

    “Blessed are the peacemakers, says the Bible. Tinubu’s effort is good, but peace won’t come until he stops the Assembly’s lawlessness,” Ogunleye intoned.

    Tinubu’s Diplomacy Lacks True Grit – Aminu Yusuf Bello, Social Critic

    Bello faulted judicial frailty for weakening Tinubu’s diplomacy. “Diplomacy without action is weakness. Rivers needs a leader, not a referee,” Bello asserted.

    Stability Hangs in Balance – Chinedu Ezidiegwu, Social Commentator

    Meanwhile, Ezidiegwu sidestepped judicial woes, lauding Tinubu’s tact. “President Tinubu’s diplomacy is spot on. He’s trying to keep Rivers stable without picking sides,” Okonkwo countered.

    In Abuja, YouTuber Tunde Adeyemi, 27, chimed in: “My viewers crave peace, not promises. Tinubu says ‘rule of law,’ but Wike’s crew still blocks Fubara—where’s the balance?” he asked, filming his latest take near the Federal Secretariat Complex.

    Judicial reform in Nigeria staggers under heavy burdens: corruption scandals, and a 200,000-case backlog, per a 2023 Nigerian Bar Association report. Rivers’ clashing rulings — federal courts versus the Supreme Court — expose a system where power often trumps principle.

    Tinubu’s promise, ‘The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy,’ wanes when Wike’s allies act unchecked. The President’s imagery—’Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg’—falters if the judiciary, its guardian, remains a fractured shell. For now, Rivers waits, and Nigeria’s rule of law yearns for a reformer’s resolve.

  • Plot to impeach Fubara thickens as Ijaw groups respond to Wike’s threat

    Plot to impeach Fubara thickens as Ijaw groups respond to Wike’s threat

    The political camp of the Rivers state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara was again pushed into a deeper trench by the decision of the state House of Assembly to probe the alleged age falsification of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi.

    At its 135th legislative sitting, the House resolved to write to the Department of the State Service, DSS, to investigate the CJ following allegations against him by the Leader of the House, Hon Major Jack.

    The House agreed that falsification of age was a “serious offence” but the allegation must be confirmed and doing so, the CJ has to be thoroughly investigated to establish the authenticity of the allegation.

    Responding to this development, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule said by section 128 of the constitution, the House is empowered to investigate the allegation but quickly accused Governor Fubara of barring heads of ministries, departments and agencies from appearing before the House.

    Remember that Justice Amadi was screened to become the Chief Judge of the state about three years when Wike was a governor. Unconfirmed report has it that Amadi, who hails from the same Ikwerre ethnic nationality with Wike, turned down alleged N5 billion gratification and tastefully furnished houses in London and America to ditch the governor and clear the grounds for his eventual impeachment.

    Commenting on the CJ’s ordeal, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, former House of Representatives member in the 7th National Assembly said the action of the Assembly members was just to intimidate the Chief Judge in order to get at the governor.

    “The process of impeaching the governor is not easy. That is why they are intimidating the loyalists of the governor just to create a state of emergency, at most”.

    Giving the quick succession at which events happened in the state in the course of the week barely few hours after the Minister of the federal capital territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday publicly declared that the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara could be impeached by the House of Assembly and “heaven will not fall”, it shows that there is more in the offing.

    The minister’s audacity came just a day after a crucial meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the delegation of the pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, in Abuja wherein the latter was asked to go back home and prevail on the embattled Governor to “obey the rule of law”, in other words, the Supreme Court judgment.

    Meanwhile, Wike’s impeachment threat to Fubara and his vituperations on the Ijaw ethnic nationality has since attracted the ire of the Supreme Egbesu Assembly, SEA, a religious deity of the Ijaws and other revered topnotch organizations such as the Ijaw national Congress, INC and its youth wing, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC.

    Recall that in the early years of militancy in the Niger Delta with Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states being the hotbed of the crisis, the Egbesu god was said to have been invoked to wade off the incursion of the federal troops into the flashpoints of the crisis.

    Leader of the Supreme Egbesu Assembly, SEA, an ancestral religious institution of the Ijaw people, Sergeant Werinipre Digifa, told Saturday Vanguard on phone that the Ijaw people would “shock” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the appropriate time in the event that the Governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.

    Digifa hit back at the President who he said lacks the capacity to tame Wike. “Tinubu should be held responsible for the recklessness and arrogance Wike is exhibiting against the Ijaw nation.

    “This is why I say that Nigeria is a banana republic. Somebody has turned the judiciary to his personal estate. He manipulates the judiciary the way he wants it just to suit his desire. If they impeach Fubara, we will not go into violence because Ijaw people don’t believe in violence. We will take everything in good faith. But we will shock them”.

    The head of the Egbesu Assembly added that ”we are keenly watching the ongoing political trend which is pure harassment and the intimidation of the Governor of Rivers state. We are listening to the insults, the unguarded utterances and the abuse that is being heaped on the Ijaw ethnic nationality by Hon Wike.

    ”The Niger Delta is a community and when controversies arise in a community, reasonable people don’t jump in to talk. There is an African adage which says ‘two mad people never behave madly at the same time.’
    “We are not sleeping, neither are we cowards. But note that we have always won our just battles and this will be no exception. This crass arrogance being displayed by Wike was avoidable”.

    Digifa expressed disappointment that President Tinubu has allowed the crisis to fester, saying ”I had earlier thought that he had the capacity to rule Nigeria as a president, but from the showings on ground, it is evident that we had a misplaced value on President Tinubu’s leadership capacity.”

    He warned President Tinubu that “by the time Wike finishes with you, the Yoruba nation would have incurred the anger of the Ijaw man. The spirits that have protected the Ijaw Nation over the years will bring the wrath on the Yoruba to teach them a lesson that could be worse than what has happened to those who attempted to humiliate us”.

    INC’s position on Wike’s bluster to oust Fubara from power is that people should look at issues from the broader perspective and not through the prism of sectarian sentiment.

    Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of INC, said Wike’s so called insult on Ijaws smacks off the smart game of giving it an ethnic coloration to get the sympathy of other ethnic groups and distract their attention from the sympathy they have for governor Fubara.

    “When the Ijaws led the struggle for the creation of Rivers state, where were Wike’s ancestors? He quipped. “You don’t flirt after a hyena. Wike will regret, mark my words, and become a political orphan. When an empire rises to its peak, another empire will rise. We are heading towards the Marxian synthesis as the political denouement is already unfolding ahead of 2027.

    “Wike’s bravado is clearly stimulated by nothing else but the tacit support and encouragement from the Presidency. Remove Wike from Power, he will automatically transform into an empty and most vulnerable entity in Nigerian political history”, he said.

    In its declaration after a zonal emergency meeting, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Eastern Zone put the federal government on notice that it will stoutly resist every attempt by the planners to impeach Governor Fubara, “until he has served out his two tenures of eight years as his predecessors did, by any means necessary”.

    The Ijaw youths announced that the planners of the Governor’s impeachment, “if they do not desist from their evil plot, should be ready to bear the consequences of their actions in the event of the breakdown of law and order in the State”.

    Also, a statement from the Ijaw Matters viewpoint said the Ijaw Nation has been patient for too long, saying “our patience is not weakness. Nyesom Wike, in his ……arrogance, has crossed every line of decency and respect. His continued insults against the Ijaw people will not go unanswered”.

    It said it was a disgrace that a man who once begged for the support of Ijaw leaders and communities now dares to spit on the same people who made him. “We will not forget. We will not forgive. And when the time comes, Wike will beg, he will crawl before the Ijaw Nation seeking mercy, but he will find none”.

    The group vowed that “Wike will pay for every insult, every slight, and every word of disrespect. The day of reckoning is closer than he thinks”.

    We’re 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria, INC tells Wike

    The Ijaw National Congress, INC has faulted the comment from minister of the federal capital territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike that the Ijaws were the minority of the minorities in the Niger Delta.

    INC said given Wike’s eight-year tenure as Governor of Rivers State, “we expected a more informed understanding of the state’s history”.

    The Ijaw group said that Wike’s assertion that the Ijaws were a minority of minorities betrays a lack of “intellectual depth. For the record, the Ijaws are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history. They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers State, with eight local government areas, and also not a minority in Delta”.

    A statement signed and released by Engr Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary of INC in Port Harcourt on Friday said “we suspect that Wike’s comments were made under the influence of misinformation and otherwise. The Ijaws have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-South, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us”.

    It said that Wike’s intention to create divisions between the Ijaws and other ethnic nationalities has failed, noting that the INC was aware of his plan to instigate crisis in the Niger Delta region, but “we will continue to maintain peace and stability”.

    The Ijaw group however called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution Wike and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties, assuring that the INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.

  • Rivers: Heavens won’t fall if Fubara is impeached — Wike

    Rivers: Heavens won’t fall if Fubara is impeached — Wike

    PORT Harcourt — THE political crisis in Rivers State took a dangerous turn, yesterday, as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, downplayed reported threats by some Ijaw-linked militant groups to blow up crude oil pipelines and hold the nation to ransom, should Governor Siminalayi Fubara be impeached by the 27 members of the State Assembly loyal to him.
    In fact, Wike said heaven would not fall, if the governor was impeached.

    This was as the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, which shunned a reconciliation meeting called by the governor, barred Fubara from entering the Assembly complex to present the 2025 budget, alleging improper communication.

    In a quick counter, Fubara said he was ready to re-present the budget, despite being locked out, insisting that he notified the House through Speaker Amaewhule.

    Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, once again reiterated its earlier position that if Fubara (an Ijaw man) was impeached for any reason, the consequences will be too heavy for the country to bear economically.

    Describing the lawmakers’ action as reckless, the INC said Wike cannot drag the Ikwerre and Ijaw Nations into a tribal war.
    In like manner, the Pan Niger-Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, described the legislators’ action as provocative and an insult to Rivers people; as oil communities warned the lawmakers against igniting fire in the Niger-Delta.

    No ethnic group has monopoly of violence — Wike

    While noting that no ethnic group had a monopoly of violence and that the state has the wherewithal to deal with criminal elements, Wike said the heavens will not fall if Fubara was impeached for constitutional infractions.

    The minister spoke during a live interview with some television reporters, monitored in Abuja.

    While he described PANDEF as the worst organization for anyone to rely on, the immediate past Rivers State governor also took a swipe at Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, who he accused of using him to settle scores with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Monopoly of violence

    Wike said every ethnic group in the Niger Delta had the capacity to do whatever others are doing, warning that no one should arrogate to himself the monopoly of violence.

    He said: “Who has called for his impeachment? Who? If he has committed an infraction to be impeached, what is wrong? Is impeachment a criminal offence? Is it not provided for in the constitution? Am I a member of the Assembly?

    ‘’The point I am making is, if he has committed an infraction on the constitution and the Assembly deems it fit to say he should be impeached, then fine. Is he the first person that would be threatened with impeachment? Don’t you know what to do? What’s all this hullabaloo about impeachment?

    Threat by Ijaws

    “I have heard people say if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order. Rubbish. Tell me who are the militants? Who was born a militant? Tell me. Who is a militant? Who cannot blow the pipelines? Why do you arrogate this power to a certain group of people? ‘’Are Ijaw people the only ones who can blow up pipelines? What nonsense is that? Who told you that Ogoni, Ikwerre and others cannot blow up pipelines? Why do you arrogate powers to people?

    ‘’Who is the one doing the contract of the pipeline surveillance? Is he not an Ijaw son? Is it not Tompolo? Tantita? They gave you the contract. You are Ijaw and somebody will say Ijaw people will go and blow pipelines and somebody will listen to that?
    ‘’How dare you threaten a country? Which threat? It does not exist. These are political thugs planted by some people in government. We know ourselves. You make an appointment as MD of NDDC, they threaten that they will blow pipelines. You make an appointment, they threaten again to blow pipelines.

    “I have told people, when the law speaks, all these ‘Asawana’ (an Ijaw spiritual chant) will die. Let me tell you, Ijaw does not constitute the majority of the Niger-Delta. People must speak the truth. Heavens will not fall. You only die once, not two times.
    “What nonsense, everyday you wake up, Ijaw will do this, Ijaw will do that! In Akwa Ibom, Ijaw cannot be governor. In Delta, Ijaw is a minority. With all due respect to our late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, he is from Delta.

    “He never produced an Ijaw man to be governor of Delta. The only place Ijaw can be governor solely, is in Bayelsa, not in Edo, not in Rivers. It was out of our own benevolence, the idea of live and let’s live, that I said, look, we are working as a team. We are members of the same political family. Let us allow this to go to this area.

    ‘’If it is by strength, they cannot beat the Ogonis, they cannot beat the Ekpeyes, and they cannot beat the Ikwerres.
    “When people do something to bring people together, you appreciate it. In fact, when I brought this governor, they said’ no,’ that he is not a real Ijaw man.

    ‘’If you are talking about Ijaw, the ticket should go to the Kalabaris, how can you say if they want to give governorship to the Ijaw, that it should be the Opobos? And you closed your eyes and did it. All those who fought me are the ones now parading themselves and deceiving him.”

    Useless letters

    Wike also slammed Fubara for writing a “useless” letter to the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly, inviting them for a meeting at Government House in Port Harcourt and also informing them of his intention to re-present the state’s annual budget.

    Describing Fubara as an insincere politician, the FCT minister, who was largely instrumental to making him governor, said having been at loggerheads with the lawmakers for a long time, Fubara ought to know what to do, rather than sending a subordinate to write them.

    Wike, who wondered how three lawmakers would sit and make laws for a state, said: ‘’We are talking about the Supreme Court. Do we need to go to the Supreme Court? In your own conscience, are you telling me three members will constitute a parliament?”

    Asked to explain what happened during his tenure when, at a point he worked with five lawmakers, the minister said: “That is not correct. You see, people should stop all these. Even when they say so, why not do your research? Remember, the assembly was inaugurated, remember there was a tribunal.

    ‘’The Court of Appeal nullified some seats. Before that time, the budget had been done. And then we did a rerun and the assembly was full. If anybody tells you that I, as governor, presented a budget to a number that is not what is required by the constitution, it is a blatant lie. Prove it. Prove with empirical evidence.

    Faulting Fubara’s budget presentation move, Wike said: “You have had a frosty relationship with an arm of government. If you are a good politician, will you go and write letters?

    “If you are a good politician, you have had a frosty relationship with me for many years. I have never sat down with you, I have never spoken with you, you seized my salary. They could not pay their children’s school fees. Now you went to the Court of Appeal. It didn’t even occur to you, even though I won at the Court of Appeal, I still want peace.

    “The matter went to the Supreme Court. And the Supreme Court now gave it to me. Then the next thing you do is to write a letter and who signed the letter? A bloody SSG would sign a letter to the head of an arm of government? What an insult?

    ‘’You are telling me here that the SGF will sign a letter to the President of the Senate or to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and say Mr. President is coming to do so and so. Is that how it is done?

    “First, assuming you want to go that route, you call the leadership and say, listen, this is where we are. I want to present this budget tomorrow. They will say okay, let’s look at it. You are not the one to tell them you are coming to present a budget tomorrow. Who does that? ‘’You want to play to the gallery. I have been in government, I don’t just write letters to Mr. Speaker to say I am coming to present a budget tomorrow morning. Are they your children? Do you know their engagements?

    ‘’If you are sincere, you will call first and say ‘Mr. Speaker, where are you? Are you home? Can we talk? Can you come? Or can I come?’ And they agree on something and then Mr. Speaker will go back and call his colleagues and say, listen, ‘Mr Governor called me and I met with him and he wants to present the budget on so, so date’.

    ‘’Then, they will look at their schedule and say okay, let us shift it or let us accommodate him on that day. That is how it is done.
    “All these letters you (Fubara) are writing are useless. You are playing to the gallery. Everybody knows you are not sincere. A true politician will not behave that way. Let me tell you, Mr President was to present a budget to the National Assembly and the Assembly people were not happy for one thing or the other.

    ‘’We met at Exco and they said they had shifted it. Why? He had to meet with the leadership to agree on some grey areas. He didn’t need to write a letter. A man who does not want peace is the man who is playing to the gallery, saying I have written a letter, written letter to your son?

    “The governor is not sincere. I never knew he is this kind of character. The Supreme Court said there is no way three members can sit and legislate for a state. You took your commissioners, Attorney-General for these three members to screen.

    ‘’The court said it is not possible and the Assembly people said submit the list of members of your cabinet, we are willing to screen them. Instead of us to applaud them, you are saying why should they give a time limit? When the Assembly asked him to submit a list, he now told his commissioners to go to court, after the Supreme Court had given judgment on this matter.”

    PANDEF taking sides

    Accusing PANDEF of taking sides in the matter, Wike said: “Yesterday (Tuesday), I heard that some people (PANDEF) went to see Mr. President. It is the worst organization anybody can rely on. I used to tell my father, daddy, I am disappointed in this.

    ‘’If you continue, I am not going to be a party to it. If you have a father who is always interested in money, he can sell his children.

    “These leaders, look at the comments they made. Mr. President intervened in this matter. The vice president was there, the National Security Adviser was there. This same PANDEF came out and said Mr. President had no right.

    ‘’They took Mr. President to court. People like Chief Sara-Igbe, even Diette-Spiff who I respected, went to Rivers Government House. Look at the statement he made. ‘I am an Ijaw man. You are an Ijaw man. Call us, we will be with you.

    ‘’An elder-statesman will go and make such a statement. Now you are the same person coming again to meet Mr. President to intervene. Intervene how? The Mr. President you said had no right? Mr. President that you took to court that he had no power to intervene?

    ‘’They took Mr. President to court. From the state High Court in Rivers State, and at the Court of Appeal, they lost, up to the Supreme Court. Now you are going to tell the president to do what, that the Supreme Court judgment should not be obeyed?”

    How Fubara emerged governor

    Wike said but for the elderly counsel of Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Fubara would not have been governor as consensus was already building in favour of having a governor of Ogoni extraction.

    According to Wike, before the elections, the consensus was to have a governor of Ogoni extraction but Chief Alabraba begged that the ticket should be given to the Ijaw to give them a sense of belonging. He noted that today, Fubara has used all manner of degrading adjectives against the elder.

    Wike also said Fubara couldn’t have shown up uninvited in the State House of Assembly Quarters after he demolished the complex in December 2023.

    The governor, who addressed reporters at the quarters, had said he communicated his plan to be at the quarters to the speaker, Amaewhule.

    Rivers State government also shared a letter notifying the House of the governor’s visit.

    However, Wike said: “If you write a letter to the Assembly, won’t you wait for a response? He is playing to the gallery. He brought the Assembly Complex down. Assembly now sits in their residence. If you are coming, they have children; they will say the governor is coming today, so they have to prepare themselves.

    “You cannot just go and open the gate and say ‘I’m coming to present budget.’”

    On PDP crisis

    On the state of affairs in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Wike described the party’s National Working Committee NWC as “stupid”, accusing it of causing problems and blaming others.

    “Congresses had been held. When you cause problems for yourself, you will go and call other people. Look at the stupid PDP NWC. You purportedly wrote a letter to INEC dated 20th, a Friday.

    ‘’Now, 21st was the day of the Congress. Then you submitted the letter on Monday when the Congresses had taken place. You are now telling INEC you have postponed a Congress that had taken place.

    “Secondly, you go and say you are forming a caretaker committee. You are the one killing the party. For example, which senator in a meeting where governors are seated will oppose them?

    ‘’If you do something the right way and achieve results, who will challenge you? All (PDP) governors, let them challenge me, I will tell them one by one the role they are playing in the crisis in the party.”

    Bauchi gov used us

    “How did Bala Muhammed use us? Bala Muhammed was having problems with Atiku and others. He came to me. In fact, that day, I was going to commission the lounge at the airport. When he landed, I said there is no need to come to town since I am coming to the airport. “Bello Adoke, the former Attorney-General was there. Bala said Atiku will kill him if Atiku won, that we must support Asiwaju. I laughed. I said okay. We now organized G-5 to go and pay Bala a visit in Bauchi, not knowing he was using us to settle with Atiku.

    ‘’So, when we went there, he was happy. The next day, Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, all of them led a team to see Bala and Bala abandoned us, and now reconciled with Atiku,” he stated.

    How 27 lawmakers barred Fubara from Assembly quarters

    Governor Fubara was at the Assembly in the early hours of yesterday to implement one of the key decisions contained in the certified true copy, CTC, of the Supreme Court judgment, which is the presentation of the 2025 budget to a properly constituted state Assembly.

    Some staff of the Assembly who spoke anonymously, said there was no formal communication that the governor was coming to the Assembly today (yesterday).

    “I am not disposed to such information that the governor was billed in the Assembly today (yesterday). If there is such information, the speaker will inform us. For now, we are not aware of the governor’s visit to the Assembly,” the source said.

    I’m ready to re-present budget, despite being locked out — Fubara

    Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has expressed dissatisfaction over the action of the lawmakers denying him entry to the quarters.
    He disclosed that he made several attempts including sending whatsapp messages to Ameuwhule to fix the visit to the assembly to no avail.

    Addressing residents of Khana LGA of the state during the commissioning of some health facilities, shortly after the drama at the Assembly quarters, Fubara insisted he communicated his intention to visit the lawmakers to Speaker Amaewhule before he showed up at the quarters to re-represent the 2025 budget as directed by the Assembly, following the verdict of the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025.

    “I still believe, maybe, they might be instructed later. If they are instructed, I’m still ready to come any day to get this particular issue sorted out,” he said.

    If Fubara’s impeached, consequences will be heavy — INC

    Reacting to the political development in the state yesterday, the President of INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, said he was not surprised that the 27 lawmakers acted in that “shameful way”, saying they were neither interested in peace nor the overall interest of Rivers people. According to him, the lawmakers are there to serve the interest of their master, Nyesom Wike.

    The INC president alleged that the lawmakers were loyal to Wike because the FCT minister “bought the forms that took them to the Assembly. They were handpicked by him. Wike said so publicly. That is why I am not surprised by the way they act.”

    “Some people said Sim is very weak. He promised Mr. President that he would implement the judgment, why then should the lawmakers block him from entering the Assembly complex?

    “These same lawmakers gave the governor 48 hours and then 72 hours ultimatums to present the budget. They issued another ultimatum to the governor to sack the 19 commissioners. If he sacks the commissioners, including commissioner for finance, who will then prepare the budget?

    “By their actions, they have shown the world how wicked they are. If they go ahead and impeach Sim Fubara maliciously, forcibly or recklessly, we will resist it and the consequences of such action will be too heavy for the whole country to bear. This is no threat,’’ Okaba warned.

    ‘’Wike cannot provoke us into ethnic war. The Ikwerre people had apologized to the Ijaw people over the attitude of Wike against Sim.”

    Don’t ignite fire in Niger Delta, oil communities warn lawmakers

    Similarly, oil and gas producing communities of Niger Delta have warned the 27 River lawmakers to restrain from actions that may spark fire capable of affecting crude oil production in the region.

    Chairman, board of trustees, BoT, of the communities of oil and gas producing areas of the Niger Delta, CDC, Joseph Ambakaderimo, said, “This must be called into question because this action in itself is an affront on the Supreme Court judgment. These men call themselves lawmakers. They should always live by example.”

    Action insult to Rivers people, says PANDEF

    In like manner, PANDEF described the lawmakers’ action as “provocative.”

    A chieftain of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, told Vanguard on telephone that denying the governor access to the Assembly complex was not an insult to Siminalayi Fubara as a person, but the people of Rivers State in general.

    “The governor was elected by millions of Rivers people. As the chief executive officer of the state, he has unhindered access to all the facilities within the state. Blocking him from entering the complex is a direct insult and an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.

    “It is now very clear that the governor is ready for peace but these people are not ready for peace. You can see that by their actions.

  • Supreme Court has ended impunity in Rivers – Wike

    Supreme Court has ended impunity in Rivers – Wike

    ABUJA – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hailed the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, which nullified the recent local government elections in Rivers State and upheld the legitimacy of the 27-member Martin Amaewhule-led State Assembly.

    Speaking in Abuja after the judgment, Wike declared that the apex court’s decision has effectively ended the reign of impunity in Rivers State.

    The former Rivers governor also took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, accusing them of supporting lawlessness in the state.

    According to Wike, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no choice but to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s verdict, as it represents the final legal authority on the matter.

    The ruling marks a major development in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, reinforcing the authority of the Amaewhule-led Assembly while nullifying the controversial local government elections.

  • PDP Crisis: They want me out because of Wike — Anyanwu

    PDP Crisis: They want me out because of Wike — Anyanwu

    The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has revealed that certain party leaders were hell-bent on forcing him out of office because of his insistence on due process, respect for the rule of law and his long-standing relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

    Anyanwu told Sunday Vanguard that some of the party’s leaders from his zone (South East) consider him a stumbling block to their political ambitions, part of which include taking over the party structure.

    He said, “I was validly nominated and elected as National Secretary of this great party at a national convention and our constitution clearly spells out how a person occupying positions in the National Working Committee can be replaced if the need arises.

    “I took time off to contest for the governorship of my state and the Deputy National Secretary acted while I was away. Our constitution gives me the power to delegate functions to my deputy.

    “It was strange that while I was campaigning, some people went as far as forging documents by illegally altering our party guidelines and inserted a clause which is not in the original document to say I must resign. The police are investigating, I won’t say much on that.”

    “Everybody knows my relationship with (Chief Nyesom) Wike. We were local government chairmen and members of the PDP, I cannot deny him.”

    Anyanwu accused some of the party’s governors of working in cohorts with a section of the Board of Trustees (BoT) in pursuit of an agenda to weaken the party for selfish gains.

    He noted that the advice of both bodies that Sunday Udeh-Okoye be immediately sworn in as the substantive National Secretary, following a Court of Appeal judgement was simply “a proxy war.”

    The PDP Governors Forum had during their monthly meeting in Asaba, Delta State, endorsed Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary.

    They based their decision on an Enugu Court of Appeal judgment recognizing Udeh-Okoye as the bonafide occupant of the position.

    The BoT soon followed with their support for the position taken by the governors.
    Members of the BoT took their decision after adopting the report of a committee they had set up to examine the claims being made by both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye.

    The committee which was chaired by. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), recommended that Udeh-Okoye be sworn in immediately based on the court judgment.

  • Wike to Nigerians: Be patient amid economic challenges

    Wike to Nigerians: Be patient amid economic challenges

    IBADAN — MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mr Nysome Wike, yesterday, urged Nigerians to be calm and patient in light of the current economic difficulties the country is facing.

    Wike, who spoke in Ibadan during a condolence visit to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State over the death of his elder brother, Engr. Sunday Makinde, explained that the policies of President Bola Tinubu are aimed at improving the nation.

    He said: “I have always told people to be patient with this government. This country has faced significant challenges in the past, and it’s essential to recognise the progress we’ve made. Nigerians often forget where we were and the efforts being made to improve our situation.”

    The minister, in the company of the former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and other dignitaries, urged Nigerians to understand that while the transition may be painful, it is necessary for long-term benefits.

    He said: “There is no such thing as a miracle solution. The policies Mr President is enacting are designed to benefit all Nigerians.

    “Although we may have to endure some hardships now, we should not panic. Mr President genuinely cares for our country, and I assure you that better days are ahead.”

    Commiserating with the Makinde family, Wike expressed deep condolences and emphasised the importance of unity in times of grief.

    He said: “In this moment of profound loss, we are here to offer our love and solidarity.”