Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has urged his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to relinquish his quest to control the state’s political affairs.
In an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Fubara emphasized that Wike, who serves as the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), must understand that “he cannot win all fights.”
The governor appealed to Wike to cease the conflict out of love for Rivers, noting that it was unnecessary to escalate tensions within the state.
“I will tell him (Wike) that there is going to be a point that he needs to let go,” Fubara said.
“We need peace in this state. You don’t necessarily need to win all the fights at all times. You just let go for the sake of the good people of Rivers state and the love he (Wike) has always professed for the state.
“We don’t need to burn down the state. Fubara will leave tomorrow. Who knows who is going to come next?”
- APP Was Adopted To Comply With Supreme Court Ruling On LGA Autonomy — Fubara
Fubara explained that the adoption of Action Peoples Party (APP) by his loyalists in the recent election was not about political realignment but rather a strategic move to comply with the supreme court’s ruling on LGA autonomy.
He further elaborated that there was no feasible way for his candidates to run under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to the ongoing “drama” within the party.
“After the ruling of the supreme court (on LGA autonomy), we (governors) had an understanding with Mr. President, and he gave us a window of 90 days to comply,” Fubara said.
“The 90-day deadline expires on October 31. I needed to do something. There is no way that election would have been conducted in my party considering the drama surrounding my party.
“So, I opted for something safer to secure the civil servants that are working in the LGAs to ensure we have administrative officers, who would manage the affairs of the council.”
On Saturday, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted elections for 23 chairmanship and 319 councillorship positions across the state.
The APP won in 22 LGAs, while Action Alliance (AA) secured victory in one LGA.
Fubara’s loyalists had joined the APP to obtain party tickets for the elections.
On Sunday, Fubara swore in the newly elected LGA chairpersons.
Notably, police officers were absent from polling units during the election.
On September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voter register to RSIEC.
The court also issued an order preventing the inspector general of police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from offering security for the election.
On Monday, portions of three LGA headquarters were set on fire by hoodlums attempting to obstruct the newly elected chairpersons from assuming their duties.
The ongoing crisis in Rivers is attributed to the power struggle between Fubara and Wike over political dominance in the state.
