Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has firmly rejected allegations that the sole administrator of Rivers State reports to him, while urging state elders to work toward resolving the ongoing political crisis.
In a recent media parley with TVC from 2:21, Wike addressed the implementation of emergency rule in Rivers State, stating: “That is why it is called emergency rule, and which I told you, as a politician, I’m not happy. But to save the situation, that’s why the president came in, and that’s why those who should now know that they should take this opportunity and say, look, I know this is the problem, can you do this, can you do this? You must make sacrifice.”
The minister expressed frustration that since Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension, Rivers State elders have failed to approach him about resolving the situation. He specifically pointed out that one elder who allegedly received money from the governor is currently “playing golf at the golf course in Abuja” rather than working on solutions.
Wike warned that the six-month emergency period could be extended if peace is not achieved, emphasizing: “None of the elders has gone home to say, look, now we’re under this kind of situation, what do we do? 6 months will soon be over; have we achieved the peace we are supposed to achieve? Because at the end of the day, if we don’t achieve anything, then you still go back to square one, which does not make sense.”
He further highlighted the administrative challenges facing the state: “It does not occur to you that, look, if nothing is being achieved now, there’s no appropriation, and there’s no elected local government chairmen. The Supreme Court judgment must be implemented.”