The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the lingering crisis in Rivers State by calling the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to order.
This call was made by the INC President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, during a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
Recall that there is a power struggle between Wike and Governor Siminialayi Fubara over control of the state’s political machinery.
Okaba expressed concerns that if left unchecked, the crisis could spread to other parts of the country, undermining national peace and security.
“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,” Okaba urged.
The INC president alleged that Wike’s actions might be motivated by a desire to boost President Tinubu’s electoral chances in the next general elections.
“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,” Okaba said.
Okaba commended Governor Fubara for adhering to President Tinubu’s 8-point directive aimed at resolving the conflict.
However, he noted that Wike had not reciprocated, refusing to withdraw court cases initiated by him. Furthermore, Okaba mentioned that 25 members of the Rivers House of Assembly defected to the opposition All People’s Congress less than three weeks after the Presidential directives.
Regarding the recent local government elections in Rivers, Okaba praised Fubara for complying with the Supreme Court’s order to administer Local Government Areas through elected officers.
“So again we appeal to Mr President to call the FCT minister to order as a stitch in time, they say saves nine,” Okaba concluded.
