Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which he believes was necessary for the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Gatekeepers News reports that in February, the Supreme Court intervened in the political crisis in Rivers State, directing the House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule to resume sessions. The Court prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria from disbursing funds to the state due to disregard for court orders and dismissed Fubara’s cross-appeal against Amaewhule’s leadership.
After ongoing disputes over the budget and attempts to impeach Fubara, President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the Assembly for six months, citing security concerns. He declared a state of emergency and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as sole administrator, a move praised by Wike as a means of saving Rivers.
Wike stated that the president’s actions have helped prevent a potential crisis in Rivers. He also praised the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension as a positive step forward.
Wike made these remarks during a media parley in Abuja on Friday.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.” Wike said.
“However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
“Mr president came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” the FCT minister argued.
