.’Lifting emergency rule may not end political stalemate’
.Resign now if you’re not desperate to return, supporters tell Fubara
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, was misled by some fellow governors into confronting him.
He also disclosed that lifting the emergency rule on the state by President Bola Tinubu may not mean an end to the political stalemate if the governor doesn’t take appropriate steps to fully reconcile with the aggrieved state legislators.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday in Abuja, the minister blamed certain governors he didn’t named for encouraging Fubara to engage in a political battle with him.
He ridiculed the outcome, stressing that those who urged Fubara into conflict are now comfortably governing their states while Fubara is left isolated.
His remarks came less than 24 hours after Fubara said he wasn’t desperate to return to his seat as Rivers state governor and that his spirit has left Government House.
Fubara stated this on Sunday night at the service of songs organized in Port Harcourt by the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, at the Royal House of Grace Church.
The suspended governor during his speech responded to several speakers at the event who addressed him as “Governor” and strongly criticised his suspension, calling for immediate reversal.
He urged his supporters to tone down their confrontational approach to the state’s political situation and instead follow his strategic steps towards enduring peace by showing restraint.
Fubara noted that some of the remarks and actions of his supporters were unnecessary and contrary to his personal beliefs and principles of pursuing peace in the midst of the political crisis in the State.
Noting that some actions by his supporters were not likely to promote peace, the embattled governor rather, opted for a more strategic and less confrontational approach to the ongoing political crisis.
However, speaking on the crisis, Wike alleged that, “Governors were pushing him — where are they now? They’re enjoying their positions. I cautioned him, told him to follow a better path, but he didn’t listen”.
He also confirmed that Fubara recently visited him alongside two governors and an elder statesman to seek peace.
“Fubara came to me with two governors and one elder statesman. They’re all APC governors. He said he wants peace”.
Though he didn’t disclose the names media reports indicated that Governor Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State), Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State), and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba accompanied Fubara to Wike’s residence recently.
Wike said he welcomed them but insisted Fubara must take the right steps to achieve peace.
The minister added that he was disappointed by Fubara’s recent comments at an event honouring the late Edwin Clark, calling them inappropriate.
He criticized the governor’s leadership ability, suggesting that he lacks the capacity to govern effectively.
According to him, Fubara must reconcile with the Rivers State House of Assembly and take responsibility for his actions, rather than blaming others.
“I feel bad for him. He wouldn’t be in this mess if he hadn’t followed bad advice”.
He further stated that the lifting of the state of emergency earlier imposed on the state by President Tinubu may not end the crisis.
He said, “Assuming that we don’t settle this problem and the state of emergency is called off, has it ended the problems? No, because the Assembly will still be as firm as they have been.
“So the crisis will still be there, they will not pass your budget.”
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