Rivers crisis: I’m disappointed Tinubu’s allowing Wike run amok, says Asari Dokubo

Asari Dokubo, a Niger Delta activist, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is backing Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), against the Rivers state governor. 

Rivers has been embroiled in political crisis due to the supremacy battle between Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state. 

The conflict has led to a polarisation of the state house of assembly and the torching of some LGA secretariats. 

In an interview on Morning Show, an Arise TV programme, on Tuesday, Dokubo threatened that “something will happen” if Fubara is removed as governor. 

“I should be able to tell him (the president) the truth about what is happening in Rivers state. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is supporting Nyesom Wike to destabilise the state and disturb its peace,” he said.

“As a stakeholder in Rivers state, I feel disappointed that the president allows a minister serving under him to run amok, procure judgments, and threaten the people of Rivers state. 

“Because what they are trying to do is say, ‘We are going to remove Fubara, and nothing is going to happen,’ and I’m saying if you remove Fubara, something will happen.”

SCRAPPING NIGER DELTA MINISTRY

The former president of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide also criticised Tinubu for scrapping the Niger Delta ministry.

On October 23, Tinubu scrapped the ministry and established the ministry of regional development to oversee the regional development commissions.

The commissions include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), and North East Development Commission (NEDC).

“This decision is a betrayal of the people of the Niger Delta. A total betrayal. There has been this culture in Nigeria of trying to surcharge the people of the Niger Delta. Taking and robbing us of our gains,” Dokubo said.

“My opposition to scrapping the Niger Delta ministry has nothing to do with my personal relationship with Bola Tinubu. I’m just an individual. I’m a representative of my people. 

“The ministry came to being on the blood and sweat of the people of the Ijaw nation. I’m crying out because I am vigorously liable for any infraction on the expectations of the Nigerian people and not just the Niger Delta people. 

“I’m not going to deny what I said. Even if it’s tomorrow Bola Tinubu encounters any difficulty, I will still stick out my neck and stand for him because at some point he stood for me.”