Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has called on his predecessor and estranged political benefactor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to allow him focus on governance and the development of the state.
Fubara made this appeal during an interview on Politics Today, where he referred to Wike as “my oga,” imploring the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to support him rather than disrupt governance.
“There is no need to destroy things. When he [Wike] was Governor, Rivers was the envy of all,” Fubara said, expressing his desire for calm and cooperation. He stressed that it was now time for governance, not politics, and urged Wike to set aside differences for the betterment of the state.
When asked about the underlying issue between them, Fubara suggested it was rooted in a struggle for power and control, but refrained from delving into details. “It has to do with the issue of power and control.
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You have all seen it in this case. Maybe there is somebody somewhere who believes that he is higher than the authority in the state. It’s all about power. I don’t intend to discuss it, and I don’t want to take issues with that,” he said.
Fubara’s comments come in the wake of mounting tensions in Rivers State, which escalated into violent protests earlier this week. He partly attributed the unrest to the recent withdrawal of police officers from local government secretariats, which he said left the councils vulnerable.
“If the officers had been there, the elected officials would have had the opportunity to do their work,” he noted, expressing hope that the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) would restore peace and security.
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Reflecting on the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who recently called for peace in Rivers State, Fubara acknowledged the effort but expressed concerns that he was the only one singled out in the President’s statement.
“I don’t have any issue with the President’s intervention. But I am a bit concerned when my name was the only one mentioned. But since it is coming from the President, I have no comments about it,” he said.
The Governor further emphasized that the ongoing internal conflict was an “in-house issue” that should not have escalated to the level it has. He appealed for all parties involved to “shield their swords” and work towards ensuring stability and development in the state.
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“It is as simple as an ABC. Everyone in Nigeria and Rivers knows where this issue is coming from. It is not rocket science. The issue is not Fubara,” he reiterated, indicating that the root cause of the tensions was not his administration but a broader issue of power dynamics within the state’s political landscape.
Governor Fubara concluded by calling on the police to resume their duties at the secretariats to prevent further disruptions and ensure the safety of public property, while urging all stakeholders to focus on governance for the benefit of Rivers State.