Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT says he was not consulted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before he declared Emergency Rule in Rivers state. According to him, he would not have agreed with the president if he had sought his opinion on the issue.
The minister made the remark on Monday during his monthly media chat with some journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Recall that President Tinubu had on February 15, 2025, in a controversial manner, declared Emergency Rule in the oil bearing state, sacking the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy and members of the state House of Assembly.
The president also immediately appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator for a period of six months , saying he took the action for peace and order to reign in the state.
Recall that Wike and Fubara were once political allies before they parted ways over the struggle for the soul of the state.
There are reports that the duo has reconciled , in preparation for the President to lift the Emergency Rule, which will soon expire.
Last week, suspended Fubara assured that people of the state that the Emergency Rule will soon be lifted, for him to come back to office.
The governor who praised President Tinubu for declaring the Emergency Rule, said the action was necessary to bring peace t the restive state, saying the president made the right call at the right time.
He also assured all government officials that worked under him, before the Emeregency Rule, that “the issues will soon be resolved, and you will come back to your offices” adding that he has made peace with his boss, Wike.
The governor’s remark was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Nelson Chukwudi.
Fubara: “I want to assure you that the issues will soon be resolved, and you will come back to your offices; not just at the executive arm, but also the legislative arm.
“And I also believe that the strong relationships we had before will return, and we will begin to work together again for the good and progress of the State. What is important is for us to have a forgiving spirit.
“We are already in the peace process. I want you to thank Mr President for his timely intervention to salvage the situation and stabilise the polity and the state. If not for Mr. President, the story today would have been different.
“I don’t know how he gets his information, but the truth is that he acted with wisdom at the right time. He is the one you should thank. And let me also thank him personally for his intervention, as well as the personalities across the country who moved in and appealed to him to intervene.
“We have to come down from our high horses and subject ourselves to the peace process. And that is what we are doing. What is important is for the state to move forward. It is not about you. The interest of the State is paramount.”
As part of the ongoing reconciliatory efforts, Fubara was said to have been accompanied by some well -meaning Nigerians, including Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, a former Governor Olusegun Osoba, an APC chieftain, to beg the minister to forgive Fubara.
Meanwhile, Wike said today that he has not fully reconsile with Governor Fubara, saying he has not seen him for a long time, after the governor went to Abuja to beg him. “How can you talk about reconciliation without the state house of Assembly members,” Wike asked rhetorically.
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