The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, should be impeached if he has committed an impeachable offence.
Speaking during a media live chat on Wednesday, Wike stressed that politics should be taken seriously and that due process must be followed in governance. He also criticized those surrounding the governor, implying they were misleading him.
“Politics is not play. If he has done something to be impeached, let them impeach him. It’s not a criminal offence,” Wike stated.
Criticism of Legislative Process in Rivers State
Wike condemned what he described as attempts to subvert the legislative process in Rivers State. He expressed disbelief that a handful of lawmakers could pass laws and expect them to be recognized.
“I cannot believe that in this country, we are now at the point where Nigerians are talking about where three members of the House will sit and make a law, and they are talking about going to the Supreme Court. Do we need to go to work?” he asked.
His comments referred to the ongoing political crisis in the state, where only a few lawmakers aligned with Fubara continue to operate amid the larger group loyal to Wike.
Wike also criticized the judiciary in the state, calling it ineffective.
“The worst State High Court we have is the Rivers State High Court,” he remarked.
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Respect for Lawmakers and Governance
The former governor highlighted the importance of treating elected lawmakers with respect rather than as subordinates. He noted that speakers and assembly members are independent officials, not political followers who should be controlled by the executive.
“Speakers and Assembly members are not our children; they were elected; they are not your boys or your girls. You sit with them and play with them. I travelled with my Speakers, and I created relationships. It’s not a master-servant thing,” he explained.
Wike suggested that Fubara’s current political struggles were the result of a failure to build strong relationships with lawmakers, which he claimed to have successfully done during his time as governor.
Betrayal of Elder Statesman
The FCT Minister also recounted how elder statesman Ferdinand Alabaraba had strongly supported the emergence of an Ijaw governor in Rivers State, only to later face disrespect from the very person he had championed.
“This elder statesman cried; he almost cried. This boy later insulted this elder statesman; now he can’t go back to him for help. Ordinarily, these are the people who will call the family people. Forget about me,” Wike stated.
Political Crisis in Rivers Deepens
Wike’s comments further highlight the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, where tensions between him and his successor, Fubara, have escalated over time.
The ongoing power struggle has seen divisions in the state legislature, conflicting court rulings, and heated exchanges between political leaders. With Wike now openly supporting impeachment proceedings if Fubara is found guilty of any wrongdoing, the crisis appears far from over.
It remains to be seen how the lawmakers in Rivers State will respond and whether impeachment moves will gain momentum. Meanwhile, residents of the state continue to watch closely as the battle for political control unfolds.