Abuja, Nigeria
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says people should praise President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the total removal of the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
On March 18, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly following months of political crisis in Rivers State, in a declaration of a state of emergency.
President Tinubu immediately swore in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), the sole administrator for the state, at the State House.
This received widespread condemnation from different stakeholders, calling the president’s action an anti-democracy move.
Speaking on President Tinubu’s action, Wike, an appointee of the president, said Tinubu’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.
The former Rivers governor said this on Friday in Abuja during a media parley with select journalists.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.” Wike said.
“However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
In February, the Supreme Court intervened in the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, directing members of the State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, to resume legislative activities. The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt the release of funds to the Rivers State government, citing the administration’s disregard for previous court orders.
The court dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Governor Fubara, which challenged the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, and instructed the governor to re-present the state budget to the lawmakers.
Following weeks of conflict between Governor Fubara and the Assembly over the budget representation and mounting impeachment threats, President Tinubu intervened. He suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the members of the State House of Assembly for six months, citing security concerns. Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator—a move former Governor Nyesom Wike described as having saved the state.
“Mr President came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” Wike asserted.
