A group in Rivers State, the Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM), has strongly criticised former Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, for his recent comments attacking President Bola Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The group described Asari-Dokubo’s statements as baseless, malicious, and an unwarranted attack on the president and the political leadership of Rivers State.
The controversy stems from an interview in which Asari-Dokubo accused President Tinubu of supporting Wike in efforts to destabilize Rivers State and to manipulate judicial decisions.
The former freedom fighter further alleged that the duo was conspiring to remove the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and that something would happen if their plan succeeded.
In a press release issued on Monday by the group’s Director-General, Hon. Johnson Georgewill, the Rivers Restoration Movement rejected these claims, calling them “empty threats” and “misleading statements.” The statement strongly defended both Tinubu and Wike, emphasizing their commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
RRM’s Response to Asari-Dokubo’s Allegations
“We are aware of the malicious and misleading statement made by Chief Asari-Dokubo on a national television station, where he accused President Tinubu of supporting Minister Wike to destabilise Rivers State and procure court judgments,” the statement began.
“RRM, as the leading group that supported the emergence of Governor Fubara in 2023, would ordinarily ignore these baseless statements. However, in the interest of public clarity, we have chosen to respond.”
The group, which played a crucial role in ensuring the victory of Governor Fubara in 2023, emphasised that Asari-Dokubo’s accusations were false and misleading.
“We take exception to these direct insults against Mr. President. We all know that President Tinubu is a democrat who believes in the rule of law and would never support illegality or injustice,” Georgewill continued, pointing to the president’s record on governance and his response to elder statesman Pa Edwin Clark.
RRM also dismissed Asari-Dokubo’s threatening remarks, stating that they had “no place in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.”
The group assured the public that such threats were “empty” and would not deter the lawful processes in Rivers State.
“We assure Nigerians that all threats made by Alhaji Asari, claiming that ‘something will happen’ if the law takes its course, are baseless and will not succeed,” the statement read.
Criticism of Asari-Dokubo’s Political Influence
The RRM also took aim at Asari-Dokubo’s claim that he spent over $2 million in an attempt to sway voters in Rivers State during the 2023 elections.
“His claim of spending over 2 million dollars when he couldn’t even win his unit for President Tinubu is laughable and a barefaced lie,” the group stated, suggesting that Asari-Dokubo was an opportunist with little political influence in the region.
The Rivers Restoration Movement emphasized that the victory of President Tinubu and Governor Fubara in the 2023 elections was largely due to the efforts of Nyesom Wike and his political family, along with the support of Rivers State’s electorate.
“The victory of President Tinubu and Governor Fubara in the 2023 general elections in Rivers State was solely due to the efforts of the leader of Rivers State politics and the FCT Minister, alongside his political family, with the help of God Almighty,” Georgewill said, dismissing any claims to the contrary.
Call for Unity and Rule of Law
The RRM called on Asari-Dokubo to channel his energy into supporting his political allies in a constructive manner, rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.
“We urge Chief Asari to advise his benefactor, whom he did not support in 2023, to obey the rule of law, rather than acting on sentiments,” the statement read.
“Rivers State can never be a lawless society, and we will continue to uphold democratic values.”
The group closed by reiterating its commitment to the constitutional order in Rivers State, warning against political opportunists who seek to create division for personal gain.
“We firmly believe that Rivers State operates under a constitutional democracy, and the law, though slow, will prevail at the appropriate time.”
Asari-Dokubo’s controversial comments have sparked a strong backlash from political groups and leaders in Rivers State, particularly from those aligned with the administration of Governor Fubara and the political camp of Nyesom Wike.
While Asari-Dokubo has yet to respond to the backlash, his statements have added to the already tense political climate in the state. The Rivers Restoration Movement’s response underscores the ongoing political rivalry and the defense of democratic principles in the state.
