“It Is Not Like People Like Fubara, They Are Supporting Him Because They Are Tired Of Wike’s High-handedness – Nwala

By Akinwale Kasali

A Lawyer and Activists, Chetam Thierry Nwala, says that people of Rivers State are responsible for the “monster” Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has become.

Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, is having a face-off with his successor in office, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Instructively, it was Wike who imposed Fubara on the people of the State as Governor. He picked, backed and sponsored Fubara to the anger of a number of his other political friends and allies who had lined up to succeed him.

However, Wike was so authoritarian, so controlling, that, according to him, he bought forms for all Political aspirants in the State. What he did not say however, many argue now, is that the money did used to buy the forms did not come from his personal pocket but from the State treasury.

However, to the shock of not a few people, Wike and Fubara have fallen out to the extent that the State House of Assembly is divided into two: pro-Wike and pro-Fubara.  A few weeks ago, the pro-Wike Lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara.

The Minister is lamenting Fubara’s alleged betrayals, he says Fubara, a few months as Governor, is working hard to destroy the ladder he climbed on to the top. But those close to the Governor insist the face off is all about money. They say it is, also, about Wike wanting to totally control the Governor, including nominating most of his Cabinet members and personal staff.

One of those very angry with Wike’s behavior and alleged demands is Nwala. In an interview with Arise Television, Nwala said Wike has so intimidated Rivers People that everybody is afraid of him. He blamed Rivers people for the Emperor and dictator he said Wike has turned out to be. But he said they are focused on finding a way to tame Wike.

Following is part of what Nwala said on Arise Television’s Morning Show.

“Wike is a creation of Rivers people because there were times that Wike’s high handedness in Rivers State became so high that some of us cried and shouted at some of his illegal things he was doing.  Because it was against the APC at that time, Rivers people hailed him into what he is today, into the personality he has turned himself into.

“They hailed him into becoming a dictator, and Wike ruled Rivers State as a dictator for eight years. If you come against Wike, if you speak against Wike, he comes after your business, he comes after your properties, he looks for ways to intimidate. Now, this intimidation is what  has kept a lot of Rivers who ought to speak out not to speak out.

“They held back and decided to keep their mouth shut instead of actually dying or actually putting themselves in problem. Now, this had been the pattern of Wike for eight Years in Rivers State.

“So he wanted to continue with that same pattern by bringing in Siminalayi and we saw what happened during the election, how opposition political party members were stopped from campaigning, how people who didn’t support him in the PDP saw their Filling Stations and businesses shut down.

“So when you see this intimidation, naturally, people will find it difficult, even those that ought to talk out will keep shut. That was exactly the problem of Rivers State. This has also translated into what he used to handle elected officers.

“In short, in Rivers State, we did not have elections, we just have Wike selecting a group and set of persons, forcing them on Rivers State. And of cause, we saw that he had Federal might. Don’t let us forget the area of violence that has always happened in Rivers State, opposition Party members were killed on a daily basis and nobody is talking about these whole thing. These are things happening in our country, these are things happening in Rivers State.

“So Wike himself created a kind of fear on Rivers people. Naturally, an average Rivers Man is not timid nor intimidated, but unfortunately under Wike, we find a situation where people are intimidated, people are arraigned, beaten, arrested and detained on his instructions. So let us be frank about this, this has always been the approach of Wike to politics.

“When we talk about his high handedness, his high handedness is written everywhere in Rivers State. It didn’t just start, and it is not going to end, if nothing is done about it.

“This is the stand someone like Governor Siminalayi Fubara is taking, and we are pleased with it because this madness in Rivers State must stop.

Q: BUT THE PEOPLE WERE COMPLICIT?

I agree with you to an extent, because I wouldn’t say everybody. Like I said earlier, Wike is a creation of Rivers People. Rivers people created the monster in Wike. To be honest, they urged him on when he continued with his high handedness. Everyday, you see people hailing him, calling Wike all kinds of name, urging him on in all of his evil deeds he was doing in Rivers State.

“And now, Rivers people are tired. They feel like no, at this stage, they don’t want Wike as they have become tired of him being a dictator. If they see a new dictator, they will hurriedly accept him gladly. It is not that people like Governor Fubara that is why they are supporting him. The main reason people are supporting Governor Fubara is because people are tired of Wike’s high handedness in the State.

“How can a man hold the entire State to ransom? Wike is intimidating everybody, nobody speaks out, even the Pastors in Rivers State do not speak out. They are all quiet.

“Let us look at the situation that led to the whole issue. First of all, Wike demanded 25 per cent of Rivers State’s Allocation. From rumours, Governor Fubara offered him 10 per cent of Rivers State Allocation. This is what is happening in the State. Not just that, we have a situation where he (Wike) appointed all the Commissioners, appointed SAs, appointed a Chief Security Officer. Common, these are personal things that ought to be of concern to the Governor. These are things that will make you revolt, and when you see a situation where the Commissioners nominated by Wike, as against those nominated by Governor Fubara, you see those ones disrespecting the Governor of Rivers State, and you don’t want him to revolt? You want him to stick to an agreement before election, naturally, everyone will revolt.

“Let us look at what happened to Songhai Farm. Why is Wike angry that Governor Fubara is trying to revive and restore the Farm when he (Wike) killed Songhai Farm that actually created jobs for Rivers people. Just because Governor Fubara wants to revive with, Wike is having problem with him.

“When you see all these things, you ask yourself, should I obey these earlier agreement before I became Governor, or there is need to liberate Rivers State People?

“Let us be honest, if Governor Fubara continues with Wike’s agenda for Rivers State, trust me, Rivers State will not make progress. Wike took Rivers State 10 years backward with what he did in the State for eight Years. Rivers State cannot even compete with Lagos State.

Before now, Rivers State was competing with Lagos State at some level, but everybody is running away from Rivers State looking for greener pastures elsewhere.

“The State is a place people return to and you expect the man (Governor Fubara) to fold his hand and watch these things happen?

“Let me also shock you, out of the N5bn palliative given to Rivers State, Wike demanded for N2bn. Will you say the Governor should fold his hand? Governor Fubara has conscience. That is why some of us have commended his move as against what Wike is doing in Rivers State. Such high handedness must not be supported by any means for whatsoever reasons, whether there was prior agreement or not, things should not be like this in Rivers State, and I commend him for his action.

“Must a godfather control his godson he has brought to power by hook or crook?”