Suspend Wike too to ensure fairness, Rivers elders forum tells Tinubu

Suspend Wike too to ensure fairness, Rivers elders forum tells Tinubu

By Jeffrey Agbo

Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has said that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, being an active player in the Rivers political crisis should be suspended from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. 

In a statement on Thursday, the forum said the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara has always stood for peace, adding that his suspension was unconstitutional.

Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy and the House of Assembly for six months after declaring a state of emergency on Tuesday.

In its statement, Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum recalled how it joined PANDEF and other stakeholders in a meeting with Tinubu on March 11 to find lasting solutions to the political crisis in Rivers State. 

The forum noted that at the meeting Tinubu directed that all parties in dispute to go home, work together in implementing the Supreme Court judgment and the rule of law and seek his help if needed. 

“No sooner had that meeting held, than the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, provoked the air, through a media chat, where he abused and threatened individuals, communities, and ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta. Central to that abuse and tribal denigration was the Ijaw Nation and PANDEF,” the forum said.

“Beyond that, the minister went on to make several unprintable comments on individuals, including our revered late Chief Sen. Edwin Clark and several others. If there is any culprit who has inflamed the political atmosphere; to push it to this level, it is Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Hon. Minister of Federal Capital Territory. Let it be known by all Nigerians, there are three parties in this matter: Governor Siminialayi Fubara, the Rivers State House of Assembly members, and Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT.

“It was well circulated on electronic and social media that the explosions experienced in Gokana and Onelga had earlier been predicted by Chief Barr Wike on his media chat. He was quoted as saying: “What nonsense is that? Who told you Ogoni people cannot break pipelines? Who told you Ikwerre people cannot blow up pipelines? Who told you Ekpeye people cannot blow up pipelines?” The above statements were designed to create tension and disharmony; to create a perceived state of anarchy, and to make the President declare state of emergency in Rivers State. 

“For Mr. President to single out Gov. Sim Fubara and the Honourable members of the Rivers State House Assembly for suspension, without taking any disciplinary action on his Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, for gross public misconduct, is a clear miscarriage of justice and it is condemnable.

“If Gov. Fubara and the lawmakers are facing a six-month suspension, it’s only fair and just that Chief Barr Wike, the Minister of FCT, should also face a similar six-month suspension. This move would ensure that justice is served and that all parties involved in the unfortunate crisis are held accountable for their actions.

“It is on record that Gov. Siminialayi Fubara made genuine efforts to present the budget as directed within the specified period. He wrote to the House through his SSG, it was rejected. He went to the House of Assembly himself, only to be locked out by the lawmakers. Following this development, the Governor formally notified the Assembly of his intention to present the budget on March 19, 2025, or any other date convenient to the House within thE month. Despite all these efforts, the lawmakers failed to respond. Instead, they adjourned plenary indefinitely, and resumed on Monday, only to serve an impeachment notice on the Governor and Deputy Governor. These actions were clearly intended to prevent the Governor from presenting the budget, as directed by the Supreme Court, and to provide a pretext for the President to impose a state of emergency as he has done now on Rivers State.”

The forum said Tinubu’s portrayal of Fubara as non-compliant, while disregarding the misconduct of the 27 House of Assembly members, is misleading and unfair. 

The statement further said that by doing so, the President has created a narrative that places the blame solely on Fubara which is not the true position of the events. 

“This biased perspective overlooks the role of the lawmakers, acting apparently, under the influence and direction of the minister of FCT, thus, perpetuating an unjust and one-sided view of the situation.

“At Abalama, Chief Nyesom Wike mobilized the full strength of the Nigerian military for a simple social event, despite the traditional institution in Kalabari kingdom rejecting the event and calling for all social gatherings on that corridor to be cancelled in the best interest of peace. This move raises questions about Chief Wike’s priorities and respect for traditional authority and peace.

“Furthermore, it’s clear that the lawmakers’ non-compliance with the President’s directive is linked to Chief Barrister Wike’s alleged influence, as they appear to be acting at his behest.

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“The President’s broadcast described Rivers State as the “State without a Government” implying a complete absence of Government, law, and order. Regrettably, this characterization is quite misleading, especially considering the recent legislative activities in the state. Only last week, lawmakers hastily passed three bills and served the Governor and his Deputy with impeachment notices, which suggests that the arm of government is functioning thus confirming that government business is ongoing. 

“This move appears to be a tactical maneuver to discredit the Government, giving it a bad name to justify the imposition of a state of emergency. Unfortunately, the President’s statement has misinformed the public, creating an inaccurate narrative about the situation in Rivers State,” the statement noted.

The forum acknowledged Tinubu’s authority to ensure peace and stability nationwide but raised concerns that if Wike is left unpunished, it undermines the principles of fairness and justice.

“We stand in solidarity with the Nigerian Bar Association, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Arewa Consultative Forum, PANDEF, INC, and other pro-democratic organizations and individuals across the country and beyond in condemning the unconstitutional, undemocratic, and uncivilized invasion of Rivers State. To this end, we urge all like-minded individuals who champion good over evil to recognize that the threat to one part of Nigeria today, may become a reality elsewhere in the country tomorrow. We therefore invite all peaceful loving Nigerians to join us in this fight for social justice and political freedom. 

“We join the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in appealing for calm, orderliness and continued peace in Rivers State. 

“Finally, We strongly urge Mr. President to reconsider his decision, in the best interest of fairness, justice, and constitutional democracy, and lift the State of Emergency declared on the state. This move will ensure that the democratic process is upheld and that the rights of citizens are protected,” the forum said.

The statement was signed by Rufus Ada George, former governor of Rivers State and Chairman, Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum; Gabriel Toby, former Deputy Governor and Vice Chairman, Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum; and Admiral O. P. Fingesi (Rtd), former member, Armed Forces Ruling Council.

Others are Sen. Bennett Birabi, Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Ms. Annkio Briggs and Prof. Emeritus Dagogo Fubara.