The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not stop the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, from carrying out its constitutional duties.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, made the declaration during a grand civic reception and thanksgiving held in his honor by the Kalabari people in Abalama Town on Saturday.
He also blamed Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, for instigating the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Speaking to a large crowd that had gathered to show their support, Wike acknowledged that he had been warned against attending the event but insisted on his presence. “I heard some people say I won’t come here. Who are they, and how many are they? What you have done today is to tell the world all this noise on the radio is not the real thing,” he said.
Wike addressed misunderstandings about his recent comments on the Ijaw people, clarifying that he meant that an Ijaw man becoming the governor of Rivers was made possible through cooperation, not just through Ijaw strength. He recounted the process that led to Siminalayi Fubara’s candidacy, saying that Fubara initially expressed no interest in running for governor, suggesting that Isaac Kamalu, the then Commissioner for Finance, should take his place.
“I said we are all working together; if we don’t work together, it would have been difficult to produce the governor. That was what I said,” Wike explained.
The former governor also revealed that some of Fubara’s closest allies were individuals who had aspired to the governorship position themselves, and he cautioned Fubara about the advice they were giving him. “You surrounded yourself with people who wanted to be governor, whom I stopped because they don’t mean well for Rivers State. They are the ones surrounding you, giving you advice. Why do you think you will succeed?”
Wike emphasized that the current crisis in Rivers State began when Danagogo allegedly manipulated legal orders to justify the defection of 27 members of the state assembly and to grant the governor the power to present the state budget to just a few lawmakers.
“The problem started when Danagogo, the Secretary to the government, used his elder brother, who is a justice, to use an ex-parte order to justify that 27 members of the Rivers Assembly have defected,” Wike said. He further criticized Danagogo for allegedly trying to manipulate the political landscape in the state after failing to secure the governorship ticket.
Wike also spoke about the political machinations surrounding the withholding of salaries and allowances from members of the state assembly. “They told you to seize Assembly members’ salaries and allowances for more than one year. They have no income to feed their families and pay their children’s school fees. And you were jubilating, and people were encouraging you and telling you that nothing would happen,” he said.
While expressing his support for the House of Assembly’s constitutional duties, Wike added that he would continue to oppose any illegal actions and work within the bounds of the law to resolve the crisis.
In a broader political statement, Wike criticized those who had tried to sideline his team, highlighting the importance of standing by those who contributed to the success of his administration. “Politics comes with good and bad. When the good comes to you, take it; when the bad comes, you face it. We cannot be pushed out after all our efforts and sweat,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing gratitude for the ministerial position he was appointed to. Wike warned against the politics of “use and dump,” insisting that the practice must end.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, praised Wike for his political acumen and his dedication to the Ijaw people. Alabraba expressed his gratitude for Wike’s leadership and assured the minister of the Kalabari people’s continued support.
“May this achievement serve as a foundation for massive peace, and may you continue to lead with wisdom and integrity. The Kalabari people will be with you at all times,” Alabraba said.
