Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has scolded his successor as Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for his disrespectful comments on senior members of the bar and the bench. Wike also deplored the governor’s ill-treatment of three prominent citizens of the state who went the extra mile to get him elected.
Wike accused those claiming to be crusading for his castration within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of digging their graves. He defended Rivers as an asset and warned the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election to pack his things and go home.
Atike responded to Wike’s criticism, calling it baseless rants and stating that he is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. He spoke during a luncheon in Port Harcourt, the state capital, in honor of the members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly.
Wike alleged that Fubara continued to attack the likes of OCJ Okocha (SAN), Sergeant Awuse, and Chief Alabrabra, all of whom he once acknowledged as the three wise men that stood firm to make him a governor. He alleged that Awuse was kicked out of the position by the governor when Awuse was in a coma and battling for survival in London.
Fubara later turned his attention on OCJ Okocha and judges and accused them of turning the law upside down. He said that they didn’t turn the law upside down when they made him governor, but they did not turn the law upside down when they made him.
Wike celebrated lawmakers in Rivers for their resolve to fight against ingratitude and protect democracy’s sacred principles. He criticized the governor for exhibiting ignorance on judicial and legal matters, stating that nothing should be brought to the state high court. Wike criticized the state assembly for challenging the government’s right to spend money without budget and the Central Bank for not releasing funds without budget. He also questioned the legal process for local government elections and the role of the Federal High Court in stopping INEC from releasing the voter register.
Wike called on the Nigerian Bar Association to protect the legal profession and safeguard the judiciary, urging lawyers to stop collecting money to attack judges on national television. He stated that his political family has maintained decorum and belief in the judiciary by rejecting the temptation to attack judges even in the face of ex-parte orders on the same matter. He said that six High Court judges gave ex-parte orders 1 to 10. Wike described the partnership of APC and PDP in the state as a rainbow coalition and warned what would happen in the event of an attack on judges.
In conclusion, Wike praised the lawmakers for their determination to fight against ingratitude and protect democracy’s sacred principles. He criticized the governor for exhibiting ignorance on judicial and legal matters and called for the Federal High Court to intervene in cases involving the state assembly and the judiciary.
In a recent showdown between former Nigerian Prime Minister Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor Atiku Abubakar, the former governor of Rivers State criticized Atiku for his repeated rejection by Nigerian voters. Wike dismissed Atiku as a serial loser who has been repeatedly rejected by Nigerian voters, stating that he should pack his things and go back home.
Wike responded to Atiku’s statement on X, in which he hailed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike’s estranged political protégé, for his unwavering commitment to the interests of the people and safeguarding the sanctity of local government elections even amidst provocative challenges. He added that with the conclusion of the local government election in Rivers State, the shadows of political intimidation and judicial chicanery have dissipated, paving the way for the noble pursuit of governance to commence in the state.
Wike said Atiku got it all wrong to think that the outcome of the local government election in Rivers was an indication that the people of the state had rejected him. He said that they never contested local government elections and didn’t pick forms. If you say for election we never contested that it shows Nigeria has rejected us, okay, you that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, therefore park and go home.
He said he has no regrets for supporting President Tinubu. He said the Atiku and Peter Obi groups and some governors of the PDP believe that I am a problem to them and I will continue to be a problem. They believe that I and my team stopped them from becoming president and wanted equity, fairness, and justice. Obi’s group believes they must fight us back. When you stand for the truth, the truth will always save you. They are standing by their personal interests.
On the leadership crisis in PDP, he said they all agreed that the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, should complete the tenure of the former chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. He said that they never zoned to North West, North East, or South. Instead, they decided to go to the court to seek interpretation of the party constitution.
Wike insisted that his team has the capacity in Rivers and would never be defeated. He said that if you hate us, it doesn’t matter. If you don’t want Rivers to grow to hell with you, we took a decision to support Asiwaju, and we did.
Turning to the lawmakers, he asked the people to pray for them and that the Supreme Court would decide the legislative shenanigans in Rivers. He said, “Continue to pray for them. You went to court that they had defected; let the court decide it. Let the Supreme Court come out and tell us that in today’s democracy, three people will stand and decide and appropriate state resources.
Atiku’s Media Office, in reaction to Wike’s latest attack on the former vice president, said the Port Harcourt remarks were another of his theatrical outbursts. The media office acknowledged that Wike’s comments were nothing more than a string of inanities lacking substance and driven by personal grievances.
