Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he will not interfere with the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving and Civic Reception organized by NEW Associates in Abalama Town, Kalabari Kingdom, Wike accused the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, of fueling the ongoing political crisis in the state.
He also told Governor Siminalayi Fubara that he was ahead of him in political maneuvering and that more victories would come his way.
Addressing recent controversies, Wike claimed his comments about the Ijaw people were taken out of context, emphasizing that he never meant to portray them negatively.
He urged people to engage in intellectual and diplomatic discussions rather than resorting to threats.
Mocking those who speculated that he would not attend the event, Wike said, “I heard some people argued that I won’t be here today. Who are they and how many are they? What you have done today is to tell the world that all this noise over the radio is not the real thing.”
Reflecting on the selection of Fubara as governor, Wike revealed that some political figures had initially opposed his candidacy, favoring Isaac Kamalu instead.
He reiterated that Fubara’s emergence was a result of collective efforts rather than the strength of any ethnic group.
On the political tensions in Rivers State, Wike accused Fubara’s administration of withholding salaries and allowances from Assembly members for over a year, leaving them in financial distress.
He argued that the governor’s allies misled him into believing he could suppress the legislature without consequences.
“I am not going to stop the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to function. People who love peace don’t threaten others,” he asserted.
Wike also criticized Fubara’s advisers, calling them “natural ingrates” who had once opposed his candidacy. He accused them of misleading the governor and leading him into political turmoil.
Blaming Danagogo for the crisis, Wike alleged that the SSG influenced his brother, a judge, to issue an ex parte order declaring 27 lawmakers’ seats vacant, allowing the budget to be passed by a small group of legislators.
“This is the genesis of the crisis,” he said. “How can a judge declare that a budget can be passed by just three lawmakers? Danagogo, who wanted to be governor but was denied, is now leading this crisis.”
Wike claimed that Fubara’s administration had lost touch with reality, emphasizing that power requires strategic alliances. He described his political battles as ongoing and vowed that more victories would follow.
“You can insult me as much as you want. Abuse doesn’t kill anyone. What matters is the result,” he declared.
He also criticized those who previously opposed Fubara’s candidacy but are now aligned with him, accusing them of lacking integrity.
“We cannot be pushed aside after all our efforts and sacrifices,” he said. “Those who fought against this governor’s emergence are now pretending to be his strongest allies. But they cannot decide for us. I have defeated them before, and I will continue to do so.”