The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will not extend the state of emergency in Rivers State, adding that local government elections will now be held within 30 days instead of the previously proposed 360-day period.
Wike disclosed this on Monday while speaking to journalists during a media chat, stating: “The six-month state of emergency declared in Rivers may soon be lifted following a directive by President Tinubu mandating local government elections within 30 days rather than the previously expected 360 day time frame.”
He emphasised that extending the emergency rule would not serve the interests of Rivers people, saying: “President Tinubu was not bent on extending the emergency rule as doing so would not be in the interest of the Rivers people.”
The minister also affirmed that the Rivers State administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has the constitutional authority to oversee the elections. “He has the constitutional authority to oversee the elections and restore democratic governance at the grassroots level,” Wike said.
During the same media engagement, Wike launched a scathing attack on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as an “incorrigible defector” who lacks political consistency.
“You can’t change it. Atiku was in PDP in 1999. Have you forgotten? Under Obasanjo he had problem. Then he later joined ACN controlled by Bola Tinubu, who is incidentally the president now,” Wike said.
“After ACN, he came back to PDP. Is that not correct? Then what happened? He moved back to APC. From APC again, he came back to PDP – just to get presidential ticket every time! From PDP now, he has gone to ADC again.”
Wike dismissed suggestions that Atiku’s latest move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was motivated by a desire to “rescue Nigeria,” pointing out that the former vice-president had already served eight years in government.
“He was vice-president for eight years and Chairman of National Economic Council under President Obasanjo. You were there when the country was sinking. Did you rescue it?” Wike asked rhetorically.
The minister also criticised the interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, recalling how PDP members had rejected pressure to make him the party’s national chairman before the 2023 elections.
“We refused. What change would he bring to the party? He was the Senate President for eight years. What happened? What improved?” Wike said. “I have said I preferred someone who had not held any position.”
Wike’s comments come as he maintains his influence in PDP affairs despite serving in Tinubu’s cabinet, having recently set new conditions for the party’s upcoming national convention.
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