An aide to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has rejected demands for his suspension over the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, arguing that people are free to express opinions, but not all criticisms are valid, as reported by PUNCH.
He dismissed claims that Wike was responsible for the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly and stated that Wike did not instigate the burning or demolition of the Assembly building, stating that the Supreme Court had already linked the act to Fubara’s attempts to avoid impeachment.
He also debunked accusations that Wike encouraged violence or played a role in the destruction of oil pipelines.
He pointed out that Wike was not responsible for the controversial legislative actions taken by only three lawmakers in the state.
According to the aide, many of the allegations against Wike are baseless and politically motivated and maintained that Wike has no reason to be suspended, as he is not directly involved in the crisis.
“People can always talk, whether what they are saying is sensible or not is another issue. Was it Wike that said publicly that ‘youths don’t be perturbed, when it is time, I will give you the directive?’ And when he gave them the directive, maybe they started destroying the pipelines. That’s why I said people can always talk; it’s their right to talk. Whether they are making sense or not, is a different matter,” he said.