Impeachment: I won’t stop Rivers Assembly from performing duties – Wike
By Jeffrey Agbo
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he will not interfere with the activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly, emphasising that the lawmakers have the constitutional right to perform their duties.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving/Civic Reception organised by Ijaw stakeholders under the aegis of New Associates Kalabari on Saturday in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Wike said he foresaw the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State and had warned Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take a different approach. However, he claimed the governor ignored his advice and instead surrounded himself with “ingrates.”
Wike criticised Fubara for withholding the salaries and allowances of the 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule, alleging that the governor was misled by his advisers into believing there would be no consequences.
The former Rivers State governor maintained that he bears no grudges but stressed that governance requires loyalty and the ability to manage relationships effectively.
Wike stated, “The primaries came (PDP primaries). Today, the governor said he was not going to run and that my Commissioner of Finance, Isaac Kamalu, should be the one to run.
“What did we do wrong? We said all the council chairmen suffered. All the Assemblymen suffered. National Assemblymen suffered for you to become governor. Therefore, don’t abandon them.
READ MORE: Wike to Fubara: Heaven will not fall if you’re impeached
“That was the only offence I committed’ and then they said every time I’m asking for money. Which money am I asking for? Okay, thank you. Has the money come?”
He continued, “Those they are sharing the money to, how far? What I always tell people to remember yesterday. A man is bad, a man is a crook, a man is a criminal, but it was that criminal, it was that crook who said come, take against all odds. If I hated the Ijaw people, I would not have conceded to it, and nothing would have happened, but because of my principle of living and letting live.
“If you watch all those around the governor, they are people who are natural ingrates. Only those who believe that they cannot appreciate and thank God for any good thing will associate themselves. I told the governor that all these things you are seeing are not good for you to face this crisis. But they told him you’re Governor, you have money. I agree. Money is not everything. All these people don’t have anything to offer. See where we are now. How far!
While nothing, many of the projects in the state now, including the Ring Road, were initiated by him and handed over to the governor to endear himself to the River people. He challenged the governor to mention one that he initiated.
“It is not to abuse us. You can abuse me as much as you want, and let me tell you, I have never bothered myself because abuse does not kill anybody. What is important is the result. Is it not?
“Who has High Blood Pressure now? Not them? We we dey sit down dey enjoy. They have high blood pressure. This is what I was avoiding I said look, don’t go through this route. They told you to seize assembly members’ salaries and allowances for more than one year.
“These people have no income to pay their children’s school fees or feed their families, and you were jubilating. People were encouraging you, and nothing will happen. Something has happened.
“And let me tell you I’m not going to stop the assembly from performing their Constitutional duty. The assembly should be allowed to perform its constitutional duty. People who love peace don’t threaten people.
“Assembly people should do their work. Whatever they deem necessary that is Constitutional they should do. I’m not going to stop anybody from carrying out his or her powers. I will not do that.”
Wike’s comments come amid claims that the assembly might move to impeach Fubara.
