• HURIWA defends gov, says FCT minister betrayed presidential trust

Some Residents and civil servants in Rivers State have chided the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his comments that there is no resolution to the ongoing feud between him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Some of the workers who gathered in groups along Moscow Road, near the State Secretariat in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the reconciliation between Fubara and the minister was unnecessary, as the people have moved on and feeling the impact of governance by Fubara’s administration.

One of the workers, Amadi Akujobi, a veteran journalist with the State Ministry of Information, said the governor’s primary focus now is development and not reconciling with the former governor.

Akujobi said: “We have moved on; we are not regretting Wike’s absence in Rivers State because we never felt his impact when he was governor. Rivers’ workers under Fubara’s administration are living better now. Fubara is the Moses of our time.

“Are you aware that there has been a huge relief on Rivers workers since Fubara’s administration unlike before? January used to be a tough time for people, but due to the bonuses and kind gestures we received, the workers are soaring with ease this January. So, we don’t need such reconciliation that will torment us again or take us backwards.”

Recall that the Minister of the FCT had, on Sunday during an interview with newsmen in Abuja, ruled out reconciliation with Fubara. He noted that the governor bit the finger that fed him, adding that Fubara’s failure to adhere to President Bola Tinubu ‘s directives was a clear indication of his resolve not to see the end of the conflicts.

However, some residents are seemingly not interested in the said reconciliation. Another resident, Jude Ndu, said: “The major thing Rivers people want now is good governance, peaceful environment for businesses to thrive and not reconciliation between the duo. Let Wike remain in Abuja; we are fine with that.”

MEANWHILE, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has slammed the FCT minister for accusing Fubara of betraying a presidential peace accord.

According to HURIWA, it was Wike who sabotaged the accord brokered by President Tinubu. In a statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, argued that Wike’s actions are a breach of trust and an affront to the principles of governance.

Onwubiko also noted that Wike’s claim of Fubara’s alleged betrayal is unfounded and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. He pointed out that the governor has demonstrated good faith and loyalty to the presidential directive by withdrawing a sensitive court case he was well-positioned to win.

This move, according to HURIWA, is a clear indication of Fubara’s commitment to fostering peace and stability in the state.He said: “It is hypocritical for Wike to accuse Fubara of disloyalty when the minister himself has actively sabotaged the accord.

“While Fubara complied with the President’s directive and withdrew a critical legal matter in a gesture of reconciliation, Wike continued to pursue multiple suits in various courts, culminating in a controversial judgment declaring his factional Speaker as legitimate. This is the ultimate betrayal of the accord and an insult to the President’s efforts to mediate peace.”