The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call FCT minister Nyesom Wike to order over the lingering crisis in Rivers.
Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, INC, made the appeal on behalf of the group at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mr Wike and Governor Siminialayi Fubara are at loggerheads over the control of the political machinery of the oil-rich state.
Mr Okaba said INC was concerned that if left unchecked the political crisis could affect other parts of the country.
“Mr President, sir, as the father of the nation, the alter ego of Nigeria, we are fervently appealing to you to call the FCT Minister to order.
“This is for the sake of peace and security in Nigeria. Stop this drift towards national disintegration and anarchy now,” he said.
Mr Okaba alleged that Mr Wike’s power tussle with Governor Fubara might not be unconnected with the minister’s desire to enhance President Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in the next general polls.
“We understand the dictates of politics and the need to harvest Rivers votes for the President’s second tenure elections.
“What we misunderstand is the thought that only the FCT minister can assist the President to win Rivers,” Mr Okoba said.
He said Mr Fubara had been faithful to President Tinubu’s 8-point directive to both parties during the conflict resolution meeting held in Abuja.
“In October 2023 you called stakeholders to a meeting and tabled an 8-point directive to all parties involved to return peace to Rivers.
“Whereas many of our people considered your 8-Point directive as manifestly slanted against the governor’s interest and in favour of the FCT minister, the governor acceded to it,” he said.
Mr Okaba said that while the governor acted in good faith with respect to the directive, the minister refused to withdraw the court cases instituted by him.
He added that less than three weeks after the presidential directives, Mr Martins Amaewhule led 25 members of the Rivers House of Assembly to defect to the opposition All Progressives Congress.
On the just-held local government election in the state, Mr Okaba said that Governor Fubara obeyed the Supreme Court order that local government areas in Nigeria must be administered by elected officers, without which funds must be withheld.
He said Mr Fubara worked assiduously to actualise the return of elected officers to the local government areas in accordance with Mr Tinubu’s desires and backed by the Supreme Court judgement.
He also said Mr Fubara holds permanent olive branches, sending constant peace emissaries to the FCT minister.
“So again we appeal to Mr President to call the FCT minister to order as a stitch in time, they say saves nine,” he said.
(NAN)
