Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared that more challenges await the enemies of Rivers State.
Speaking during a Thanksgiving ceremony held at Abalama in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, organized by Ijaw stakeholders under the aegis of New Associates Kalabari, Wike reflected on the current political crisis in the state and his role in it.
The minister revealed that he had warned his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, about impending challenges before leaving office, cautioning him against certain individuals whom he described as “bad eggs” seeking power.
He criticized Governor Fubara for withholding the salaries of 27 lawmakers for over a year, allegedly under the influence of advisers who misled him into believing there would be no consequences.
Addressing the people of Ijaw, Wike stated: “Let me tell you, I’m not going to stop the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties and exercising its powers.”
Reflecting on past events, Wike admitted that his only mistake was advising Fubara to remember those who supported him in becoming governor.
“During the PDP primaries, the governor initially said he wasn’t going to run and that my Commissioner of Finance, Isaac Kamalu, should be the candidate,” he recalled.
“What did we do wrong? Council chairmen, Assembly members, and National Assembly members all sacrificed for your election. Do not abandon them.”
“That was the only offense I committed. And yet, they claimed I was always asking for money. Which money? Has the money come? Those they are sharing the money with—where are they now?” Wike questioned.
Referring to his critics, he remarked: “People call me a crook, a criminal, yet this so-called criminal stood by you against all odds. If I hated the Ijaw people, I wouldn’t have conceded to them, and nothing would have happened. But because of my principle of ‘live and let live,’ I did.”
Wike accused those around Governor Fubara of ingratitude, stating, “Only those who fail to appreciate good deeds will align with them.”
“I warned the governor that what he was doing was not in his best interest. But they told him, ‘You’re the governor, you have money.’ I agree, but money isn’t everything. These people have nothing to offer—now, see where we are. How far?”
Wike claimed that most of the projects undertaken by Fubara’s administration were originally his ideas, particularly the Ring Road project, challenging the governor to prove otherwise.
“It’s not about insulting us. You can insult me all you want—it doesn’t bother me because insults don’t kill. What matters is results, right?”
“Who is under stress now? Certainly not us. While we remain at ease, they are the ones struggling. This is exactly what I tried to prevent. I told them, ‘Do not go down this path.’ They advised you to withhold the Assembly members’ salaries and allowances for more than a year.”
“These lawmakers had no income to pay their children’s school fees or provide for their families, yet you celebrated. People assured you that nothing would happen, but now something has happened.”
Wike emphasized that those who desire peace should not threaten others, declaring that the habit of using and discarding people must end.
“Enough is enough.”
On Friday, the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) indefinitely adjourned its sitting after Governor Fubara wrote to the Speaker, expressing his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Wike blamed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State on the Secretary to the State Government and his brother, Justice Danagogo. He also assured the people of Kalabari and Ijaw of his continued support.
A group of Ijaw women in Asari-Toru LGA, Rivers State, staged a protest, blocking the road to prevent Nyesom Wike from passing through the area during his scheduled visit.
Tensions between Wike and Governor Fubara have escalated into a power struggle, dividing various political groups in the state.
The protests come after Wike reportedly referred to the Ijaw people as “a minority of minorities” in Rivers and other South-South states, except Bayelsa. This remark sparked outrage within the Ijaw community, prompting demonstrations in solidarity against his statements.
The protesting women blocked Wike’s route to an event organized in his honor, carrying placards with messages such as “Kalabari, take your stand now!” and “Wike, what do you want in Kalabari land?” They also vandalized large billboards bearing Wike’s image.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging him to address Wike’s comments.
“We will maintain peace and stability as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and refocus his attention on his ministerial duties,” the group stated.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restrain Nyesom Wike from making what it described as “inflammatory remarks” amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
PANDEF leaders expressed concern that Wike’s refusal to engage in peace talks was hindering efforts to resolve the conflict between Governor Fubara and the state legislature.
On Tuesday, PANDEF leaders met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss the escalating tensions in Rivers State. Tinubu advised Niger Delta leaders to encourage Fubara to comply with Supreme Court rulings regarding the crisis.
Rivers State has been engulfed in a prolonged political crisis, fueled by the power struggle between Governor Fubara and Wike, leading to divisions within the state legislature.
In a media chat on Wednesday, Wike dismissed PANDEF’s involvement, stating that while he had heard about the group’s meeting with Tinubu, he considered PANDEF “the worst organization anybody can rely on.”
He also accused some PANDEF leaders of hypocrisy, claiming they had earlier criticized Tinubu’s role in the December 2023 peace pact.
However, during a press conference on Friday, Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom and chairman of PANDEF’s reconciliation committee, clarified that President Tinubu did not express any negative opinion about PANDEF during their meeting.
