Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that he personally preferred the outright removal of the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike made this known on Friday during a media parley in Abuja, which was monitored by our correspondent.
President Tinubu last month declared a state of emergency in the state, citing escalating political instability and recent security threats, including pipeline explosions.
In a move he described as “inevitably compelling,” the president suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as sole administrator to steer the affairs of the state pending the resolution of the crisis.
Wike, who was the immediate past governor of Rivers, said: “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.
“The matter is in court but people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. It is not in my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power plane”.
Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since Fubara became governor.
The conflict led to the emergence of factional speakers and a parallel assembly.
Wike also said if the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not have a formidable structure to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
From the look of things, the minister said PDP is not ready for the 2027 elections.
Opposition leaders across the country are intensifying efforts to form a united front against the APC.
However, divergent interests among key stakeholders have continued to hamper the progress of coalition talks.
Wike also made it known that he will not support PDP, party leaders do not unite and put their house in order for elections.
The minister said: “The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? you don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class.
“That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”
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