Nobody can take away my political structure in Rivers, Wike tells PDP governors

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says he will do all it takes to maintain his “political structure” in Rivers state.

Wike, who is the immediate past governor of Rivers, spoke on Wednesday after meeting with some governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

The delegation comprising Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba — was led by Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Wike said he can’t be “intimidated” by anyone, adding that impeachment is not a coup.

“Nobody can take away the political structure in Rivers,” he said.

“Nobody can intimidate me. If I want to do something, I will do it. The impeachment is not a military coup, it is provided under the constitution.”

Wike said the allegations of money being the cause of the political crisis in the state are false, describing the claim as “absolute rubbish”.

“I just left the office (governor) how many months ago? And I am the FCT minister. So, which money? But nobody can take away our political structure. No one.

“You cannot work and people will begin to bring enemies — those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office.

“I am not a political ingrate but don’t touch the political structure of the state. I will not shut my eyes.

“I am not disturbed, I will do what is right and my conscience is clear. I am not the person you think that you will now go to social media and say all kinds of things.

“You must be careful, I have the capacity to fight back.”

THE RIVERS POLITICAL CRISIS

On Monday, political tension heightened in Rivers when some lawmakers in the house of assembly moved to impeach Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.

Ehie Edison, Fubara’s ally, was removed as the leader of the state assembly but hours later, he was elected as the new speaker.

The crisis in the state is linked to a rumoured rift between Fubara and Wike. 

On Tuesday, Wike and Fubara met at the presidential villa — the first sit-down between the duo since the crisis.

While addressing a delegation of south-south leaders in Abuja, Wike who spoke about the crisis for the first time, said the political turmoil in the state is a party affair.

Mohammed had said President Bola Tinubu had intervened in the crisis and that peace would be restored in the state.

The PDP had also called on all actors in the state to “sheathe their swords and allow for a peaceful and amicable resolution of all the issues”.