Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he is dissatisfied with the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that he had hoped for the outright removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike made the remarks during a media parley held in Abuja on Friday, where he addressed ongoing political developments in his home state as well as in the FCT and the country in general.
It can be recalled that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing growing political instability and rising security concerns. As part of the emergency measures, the president suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
To oversee governance during the interim, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator, a move which is still being criticized by many
Speaking at the media session, Wike revealed that he had pushed for the complete removal of Fubara from office.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state,” Wike said.
He added, “However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?”