The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to rein in the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, regarding ongoing conflicts in Rivers State.
During a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the INC President, expressed this appeal. Wike and Governor Siminialayi Fubara are currently in conflict over control of the political machinery in the resource-rich state. Okaba warned that if the political crisis continues unresolved, it could have repercussions for other regions of the country.
’Mr President, sir, as the father of the nation, the alter ego of Nigeria, we are fervently appealing to you to call the FCT Minister to order.
“This is for the sake of peace and security in Nigeria. Stop this drift towards national disintegration and anarchy now’’, he said.
Okaba alleged that Wike’s power tussle with Fubara might not be unconnected with the minister’s desire to enhance Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in the next general polls.
‘’We understand the dictates of politics and the need to harvest Rivers votes for the President’s second tenure elections.
“What we misunderstand is the thought that only the FCT minister can assist the President to win Rivers’’, Okoba said.
He said Fubara had been faithful to Tinubu’s 8-point directive to both parties during the conflict resolution meeting held in Abuja.
‘’In October 2023 you called stakeholders to a meeting and tabled an 8-point directive to all parties involved to return peace to Rivers.
‘’Whereas many of our people considered your 8-Point directive as manifestly slanted against the governor’s interest and in favour of the FCT minister, the governor acceded to it,’’ he said.
Okaba stated that while Governor Fubara acted in good faith in response to the presidential directive, Minister Wike did the opposite by refusing to withdraw the court cases he had filed.
He noted that less than three weeks after the presidential directive, Martins Amaewhule led 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in defecting to the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Regarding the recent local government elections in the state, Okaba highlighted that Fubara complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling, which mandates that Local Government Areas in Nigeria must be governed by elected officials, or funds would be withheld. He added that Fubara worked diligently to ensure the return of elected officials to the local government areas, in line with Tinubu’s directives and the Supreme Court’s judgment.
Additionally, Okaba emphasized that Fubara has consistently extended olive branches to Wike, sending peace emissaries in an effort to resolve the conflict.
‘’So again we appeal to Mr President to call the FCT minister to order as a stitch in time, they say saves nine,’’ he said.
………..
Note : To submit Press Releases, Statements, and Advert Inquiries for publication on Waffi blog (website) or Television 📺, please use the following contact details: You can send an email to info@waffitv.com or reach us via Whatsapp at 07068286500
