Minister Wike speaks on Rivers’ political tension at last

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has finally spoke on the Rivers State political situation on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Wike addressed the media after ceding leadership to Governor Sim Fubara, his protege.

Following the Tuesday meeting in Abuja of governors elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, the former Rivers helmsman delivered a speech.

He claimed that the issue had been taken over by the main opposition party. He emphasised that, contrary to what some had assumed, it was not an ethnic conflict.

According to Wike, on Monday, there were social media posts implying that the conflict was between the Ijaws and the Ikweres, which is taking place in Rivers, had some ethnic overtones.

According to reports, between Sunday night and Monday morning, the Rivers State House of Assembly attempted to impeach Governor Sim Fubara.

Earlier in the day, in Abuja, the PDP National Working Committee convened with a number of governors chosen on the party platform: Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

There’s a lot of internal bickering in politics. However, you won’t claim that because of all the internal strife, they won’t work things out among themselves, said Wike.

“The instrument was myself. I had complete authority to direct things at that time. When anything is off, you inquire. It’s a celebration.

“Parties are aware of how to fix their own mechanism. It is not a matter of ethnicity. Our group is investigating it. I’ll say that instead. Each politician is unique”, he added.