Tinubu wades in on Fubara, Wike rift
…As Fubara denies sacking Commissioners, others
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday has waded in on the rift between Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor in office, Nyesom Wike which has dragged the state into a political crisis.
President Tinubu used the opportunity of the Police Council meeting which both attended as members, to mediate and perhaps end the feud between the two political allies.
The President’s intervention was disclosed by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting presided over by the President at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Despite their feud, Fubara and Wike had earlier exchanged pleasantries inside the Council Chambers venue of the meeting before it commenced.
The Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed, who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) also disclosed that the opposition governors have resolved to work with the president because he has shown good faith by not interfering with gubernatorial cases brought before the courts by PDP members.
The peace moves followed the confirmation of Kayode Egbetokun as the substantive Inspector General of Police, IGP, by the council.
Meanwhile, Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State governor says he has not sacked anybody, including local council chairmen, commissioners, and the Chief judge.
However, the state governor stated his readiness to fight back and stop any impeachment move against him.
A gale of sack in the state was reported yesterday. But the denial came Tuesday, from Boniface Onyedi, the senior special adviser to Gov Fubara, who quoted the newly appointed Commissioner of Information and Communications, Joe Johnson.
He noted that Egbetokun has also provided a blueprint for ensuring the security of the country, which indicates his suitability for the post.
A 2015 Rivers State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has also condemned the disruption of normal governmental activities in Rivers State by politically motivated interests.
In a statement titled “Let Reason Prevail,” Peterside appealed to all political actors to allow Governor Nyesom Wike to do his job without interference.
The statement came after suspected arsonists bombed the state House of Assembly located along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The explosion was reportedly an attempt to prevent lawmakers from carrying out their planned impeachment, but the fire service was able to put out the fire and prevent further damage.
On Monday, the state of Rivers was thrown into chaos as 24 members of the State House of Assembly attempted to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In response, the governor’s supporters stormed the assembly complex, expressing their opposition to the scheme.
Reacting to the issue, Peterside expressed his disbelief and disgust at the recent developments in Rivers State. He condemned the escalating violence and the disruption of normal governmental activities, calling on all people of goodwill to join him in condemning these actions.
Dr Peterside emphasised that the once peaceful Rivers State has been transformed into a “theatre of the absurd” by desperate political actors who do not have the best interests of the state at heart.
He urged all political leaders to be mindful of their actions and to rein in their excesses, emphasising that personal interests or ambitions should never override the interest of the state and its people.
Addressing the impeachment issues that have been raised in the media, Dr Peterside stated that it is inconceivable for such matters to arise within just five months of incumbency.
He further asserted that there is no evidence to suggest that the Executive Governor has compromised the state’s interests or plunged it into a severe security crisis.
Appealing to all political actors, Dr Peterside called for patience and space to allow the Governor to carry out his duties effectively.
He reminded them that only one Governor can function at a time and urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to focus on their legislative responsibilities rather than being distracted by personal ego or narrow pecuniary interests.
The statement partly reads, “Our once peaceful Rivers State has been turned into a theatre of the absurd by desperate political actors who do not wish the State well.
“I condemn, in all ramifications, the raw violence that followed what should ordinarily be average political engagements.
“I also completely condemn the unwarranted disruption of normal governmental activities by politically motivated interests. All people of goodwill who love our dear State and democracy must condemn this in no mean measure.
“I have read in the media, impeachment issues and the like. In good conscience, impeachment issues cannot arise in less than 5 months of incumbency. It sends the wrong signal that our State is a land of theatrics.
“Nothing in the political landscape has shown that the Executive Governor has compromised the State’s interest or put our State in a severe security quagmire.
“I have always said that no pursuit of personal interest or ambition can override the interest of Rivers State and its people. We, political leaders, must always watch our actions and tame our excesses.
“I appeal to all political actors to allow time and space for the Governor to do his job. Only one Governor can function at a time. I also appeal to members of RSHA to focus on the business of law-making and get less distracted by the pursuit of personal ego or narrow pecuniary interest.
“Finally, I appeal to all leaders in Rivers State to intervene in measured terms with the overall interest of our State in mind. Posterity will judge all of us. Let us allow reason to prevail, please.
