Wike gives condition to end political crisis in Rivers

• Fubara vows to arrest, punish sponsors of violence, inaugurates panel
• Says oil output will dip if attacks persist

If Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, respects court orders, he will prevent anarchy and further breakdown of law and order in the state, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has advised.

But as relative calm returned to the state, after the burning of local council secretariats, Fubara vowed to arrest the sponsors of the political thugs and arsonists and make them face the law.

Following a period of unrest, Fubara has warned that his administration will not tolerate political thuggery and acts of violence that threaten the state’s stability and affect commercial activities.

Wike blamed the governor for not obeying the agreement they signed with President Bola Tinubu to resolve the political crisis in the state.

The minister, who spoke during a Channels TV ‘Politics Today’ live programme, yesterday, hinted that his lawyers would approach the court to stop the judicial panel of enquiry set up by Fubara to investigate the causes of the mayhem that reportedly claimed five lives, leaving many injured and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

Wike said: “The governor has said that he knew those who masterminded the mayhem. He fingered the opposition for the attack. Why then waste the public fund to investigate what you said you know?”

He denied neither having any personal issue with the governor nor demanding anything from him, but traced the crisis to the impeachment of the House of Assembly Speaker.

Also denying betrayal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he noted that his support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections was because his party moved against equity, justice and fairness.

CHECKS by The Guardian showed that the elected council chairmen resumed work, yesterday, at their various council secretariats with mild security presence.

The governor assured that, working with the police and Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures would be taken to unravel those behind the burning of Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme local council secretariats, to make them account for their atrocities.

Fubara gave the assurance, yesterday, while swearing in four new commissioners into the State Executive Council (SEC) at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The new commissioners are Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Otamiri Ngubo Benibo Anabraba.

He recalled that during the swearing-in of newly elected local council chairmen on October 6, 2024, he had warned of potential violence from disgruntled individuals.

“I had foreseen this unrest. Some individuals, unhappy with the election outcome, are going to great lengths to disrupt peace in Rivers,” Fubara said. He vowed that the perpetrators would not go unpunished, urging the people of Rivers to remain calm while the government investigates.

He acknowledged the frustration of Rivers residents but commended them for their restraint in the face of violence. He reiterated his commitment to peaceful leadership and discouraged retaliation against the attackers.

“We are carrying a basket of precious eggs, and we must handle it with care and wisdom,” Fubara said, urging the people to prioritise peace over conflict. He emphasised that engaging in violence would only lead to further losses for the state.

The governor also addressed the issue of oil theft, warning that unchecked theft and pipeline vandalism could severely impact Nigeria’s economy. He called for collective action to increase oil production, noting that revenue from oil was already insufficient to meet the country’s needs.

“Our focus must remain on curbing oil theft and ensuring pipeline security. Only then will revenues increase, allowing us to fund critical development projects for Rivers,” the governor stated.