The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has overtly backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, admitting he had hoped for the outright elimination of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike made this recognized throughout a media parley with choose journalists in Abuja on Friday, the place he described Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers’ extended political disaster as a life-saving transfer for the oil-rich state.
“As a politician, I’m not proud of the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wished the outright elimination of the governor,” Wike confessed. “However for the curiosity of the state, the president did the best factor to forestall anarchy.”
Wike, who ruled Rivers State for eight years, mentioned those that criticize Tinubu’s actions ought to as an alternative be grateful.
“The governor was gone. He was gone, sure… so when folks say the president did this, I say they need to be praising him. Each morning, they need to go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your ft for saving us?’”
The Rivers State disaster, which brewed for months, escalated right into a full-blown energy tussle between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to the Meeting’s Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
READ ALSO: Wike Units Situation for Forgiving Fubara Amid Rivers Disaster
The Supreme Court docket, in February, ordered the lawmakers to renew sitting and directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cease funding the state authorities till Fubara complied with prior courtroom orders.
On March 19, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Home of Meeting for six months, citing safety issues. He declared a state of emergency within the state and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
Wike, describing the appointment as crucial, mentioned, “Mr President got here in and saved the state of affairs, saved Rivers folks from that calamity and anarchy.”
The choice continues to generate authorized and political debate nationwide, with critics citing constitutional breaches, whereas supporters hail it as decisive management.
