By Olusegun Olanrewaju and Ben Adoga
The Rivers Elders Council has described the alleged dogfight between Rivers State Governor, Siminilaye Fubara, and his ‘political godfather’, his immediate predecessor in office, Nyesom Wike, as malicious and untrue.
Allegations of political interference have been rife over the crisis in the state which erupted with the bombing of the legislature late Monday.
The situation has warranted top-grade interventions from the highest levels of power, including President Bola Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors who have waded into the matter to calm frayed nerves.
Yesterday, the bar of intervention in the conflict was again raised when the elders in the state, under the aegis of Rivers Elders Council, described the allegations of Wike as baseless and mischief-laden.
In a statement yesterday, the council said it had “followed with discomfort, the recent events in our state that have culminated in the desecration and arson attack on the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
The statement was signed by the chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra, as well as HRH Oha Sergeant Awuse; Chief OCJ Okocha; Ambassador Desmond Akawor, as well as Senators Barry Mpigi and Allwell Oyesoh.
Others are Senators Harry Banigo; Adawari Pepple, and Olaka Nwogu; complemented by Prince Emma Anyanwu, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, Bro Felix Obuah; Honourables Hen Chikere, Felix Nweke; Frank Owhor, Kelechi Nwogu, Dum Dekor; (Chief) Ngowah Ejor, Marcus Nle-Eji, Boma Iyaye, Kenneth Kobani, and Prof Henry Ogiri.
The statement noted the removal of the Majority Leader of the state Assembly, Hon. Edisson Ehie, including his suspension along with three others; the counteractions of Ehie and his trio group with his claim of impeachment of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, as well as the suspension of some members loyal to Speaker Amaewhule with the elevation of ‘one’ Hon. Ehie to the position of Speaker, underscored the basis of the crisis.
It added, “We have also followed the public appearance and speech of the Governor of Rivers State at the Government House and the State Assembly complex, and his encounter with the police.
“We are aware of the various allegations that these unfortunate events are linked to the former governor of the state and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
“We have listened to various insinuations of ethnic undertones, especially that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is Ijaw, and is marked for impeachment to pave the way for the continuation of Ikwerre governorship.
“We met with our governor, Mr Siminilaye Fubara, and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, and wish to state as follows:
“That Nyesom Wike is the undisputed leader of the political family that produced Governor Fubara, the three senators in the National Assembly, the 11 members of the House of Representatives, all 32 members of the state Assembly, all the 23 local government chairmen, and the entire councillors of the 23 local government areas.
“That the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Fubara, and all the above-elected office holders in the state belong to the same political family, and are bound by our philosophy to transform, build, develop, and create the Rivers State of our dreams, in consonance with our new Rivers vision devoid of ethnicity, tribe, creed, and gender”.
The elders also stated that they were aware that there was a pre-existing problem between Hon. Ehie, and his colleagues, that culminated in his removal.
“That to forestall Hon. Ehie’s impending removal, the hallowed chamber of the Assembly was burnt, and the governor believed that Hon. Ehie’s removal was a precursor to his impeachment, which is not true.
“That the misrepresentation of the internal wrangling amongst the members prompted the governor’s immediate intervention making him characterise a purely legislative wrangling as an existential threat.
“This governor and his newly-assembled supporters gave the actions of the Assembly members an ethnic colouration and prompted the use of Ijaw extraction to rally behind the governor in the name of Ijaw nationalism,” the statement added.
The elders also observed that the hasty reaction of the governor “has now pitched the governor and the State Assembly in an all-out battle that has led to the activation process of impeachment of the governor.
“That the governor neither sought the help, clarification, or intervention of the Minister of FCT, nor the elders on the development nor did he discourage damaging lies from being peddled against Nyesom Wike.”
Wike, the council further stated, “Has been viciously attacked by sections of the media and the public as an evil mastermind of the scheme of the series of events he was neither involved nor privy to.
“False stories were peddled that Nyesom Wike demanded money from the governor to discredit him before a gullible public, which is very sad. We confirm that the allegations are wicked, unfair, and satanic, and the governor being aware of the lies and not debunking them shows bad faith and ingratitude.
They said Governor Fubara is aware that Wike invested heavily in the infrastructural development of Rivers State.
“He was selfless and applied the funds of the state judiciously. He did not steal or misappropriate Rivers State funds. To insinuate that today, or create the impression that he was asking for money is most unfortunate.
“Know that Nyesom Wike has persistently fought for and defended the interest of Rivers State at all times. At our visit to Nyesom Wike, elders assured him of our steadfast, complete, and undiluted loyalty. We apologise for the embarrassment caused to him by Governor Fubara and all others who played vicious roles in the unfortunate drama.”
The elders’ council also vehemently condemned what they called “the intrusion of some Ijaw leaders from other states who so soon have forgotten that it was Nyesom Wike who insisted on producing a Rivers Governor of Ijaw extraction, and paid a political price in the process.
“Nyesom Wike has since facilitated the appointments of more Ijaw sons since he came to Abuja, including Hon B Iyaye, as executive director of finance, NDDC, and Hon. Rufus Godwin as member of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
“He has done more for Ijaw sons and daughters and ethnic nationality than most of these leaders. Nyesom Wike’s effort to make Fubara Governor was rejected and opposed largely by Ijaws then, than any other tribe or ethnic group in the state.”
They stressed, “On the Assembly, we confirm that Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule is the authentic speaker, and Hon. Ehie and the company are validly suspended.
Their words, “In conclusion, we wish to once again express our gratitude to Nyesom Wike for the audience and amiable disposition to continue to work selflessly for our state and accept the mediation of the elders.
“We urge the Governor of Rivers State to please take urgent steps to correct some of the false narratives against Nyesom Wike, thus providing a window for mediatory talks and a way forward.
“We advise those encouraging the Governor to engage in needles and fruitless battles with Nyesom Wike to desist forthwith and allow the governor to concentrate on consolidating the extraordinary achievements of Nyesom Wike while in office as governor.
“Our path with the Rivers people is unbroken. They gave us the mandate in the last elections on the back of achievements under Nyesom Wike and trust that the candidate from our political family will continue these good works.
“We caution those new friends of Governor Fubara to retract their steps before they throw the state into a deeper crisis. We the elders stand with Nyesom Wike to ensure that we work with him and others involved to bring peace to Rivers State.
READ ALSO:Perform or be sacked, Tinubu warns ministers at cabinet retreat
*FCT Minister warns Social Media propagandists, receives three PDP govs
Also yesterday, and in his reaction, Wike, warned against any attempt to tamper with the political structure in Rivers State.
He gave the warning after a closed-door meeting with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in Abuja.
Mohammed was accompanied by the governors of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri; Mr Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), and Agbu Kefas of Taraba.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a crisis had erupted in Rivers on Monday, after an attempt by the Rivers Assembly to impeach the incumbent Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara.
The FCT minister told the visiting governors that he would not be intimidated by anyone for his influence in Rivers or his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as FCT minister.
He explained that the impeachment move was not a military coup but in line with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Wike dismissed the rumours going around that the fracas was born out of his interest in the finances of the state, which he dismissed as ‘absolute rubbish’.
He said, “Nobody can take away the political structure in Rivers; nobody can intimidate me. If I want to do something, I will do it.
“The impeachment is not a military coup; it is provided under the constitution. Also, I am not interested in all the rumours, money, this, and that. Rubbish. Absolute rubbish.
“I just left the office, how many months ago? And I am the FCT Minister, so which money? But nobody can take away our political structure. No one.
“You cannot work, and people will begin to bring enemies; those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office. Nobody does that. I am not a political ingrate but don’t touch the political structure of the state. I will not shut my eyes.”
The minister thanked the forum for the visit and further thanked President Tinubu for finding him worthy to serve in his cabinet, stressing that he was still a member of the PDP working for Tinubu, and not APC.
His further words, “Forget about the Obidients and the Atikus who have lost and felt that I did not support them, and those that I revoked their Certificate of Occupancy.
“Oh! Wike did this; Wike did that because I didn’t support Obi and didn’t support their presidential candidate, and all of you just teamed up ‘Wike! Wike! Wike!
“I am not disturbed; I will do what is right; and my conscience is clear. I am not the person you think that you will now go to social media and say all kinds of things. You must be careful, I can fight back.”
Earlier, Mohammed thanked the former Rivers governor for the willingness to resolve crises, noting that the forum had waded into the matter because of the importance of the state to the party.
He also commended the Tinubu for appointing one of their own to serve in his government, noting that Wike’s antecedents spoke volumes about his ability to lead.
*Issues will be resolved, says Fubara, approaches court to stop impeachment
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has expressed optimism that the political rift between him and his predecessor, Wike, would be resolved amicably.
Speaking yesterday, the governor said there was nothing wrong with a father and a son having a misunderstanding, adding that all the issues if there were any, would be resolved between the duo.
Fubara expressed optimism about solving an issue with Wike amicably.
He commented while playing host to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who led some military generals to the governor’s office in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The governor reiterated the resolve of President Bola Tinubu and the country’s security, particularly about the forthcoming off-season elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
His statement reads in part: “For our dear state, I know everybody is wondering what’s going on, what’s not going on. We are okay, there is no problem. If we have an internal issue, it will be resolved and everything will go back to normal.
“There is nothing wrong if a father and a son have a problem if there is any problem, but I don’t think there is anything, whatever it is. We will resolve the issue.”
Meanwhile, a Rivers State High Court in Isiokpo Division in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state has issued an interim order restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly and Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, from carrying out any actions concerning the impeachment of the state Governor, Sim Fubara.
The motion ex parte was filed yesterday by Governor Sim Fubara through his lawyer, Damian Okoro (SAN).
Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, the Clerk of the House, and the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi were also served the restraining order.
The presiding judge, Justice Ben Whyte, issued the order following a suit filed against the defendants and directed that parties should maintain status quo pending the determination of the Motion on Notice and thereafter adjourned to 14th of November, 2023 for motion on notice.
