Wike: Tinubu should be commended for intervening in Rivers political crisis

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says he did not ask President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the political crisis in Rivers state.

Wike spoke on Sunday at the marriage anniversary of Des George-Kelly, former Rivers commissioner for works, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Wike said while he did not invite Tinubu to resolve the political crisis, the president should, however, be commended for his reconciliatory effort.

“We must thank Mr. President for interfering and intervening but I was not even the one who went to the president to seek his intervention,” Wike said.

Wike said those who pleaded with Tinubu to intervene in the political turmoil in the south-south state turned around to describe the president’s action as unconstitutional.

“President intervene, president intervene, and president intervened. They are now saying Mr. President has no constitutional power to have intervened,” he said.

“But they were the same people who sought the president’s intervention and he has intervened to bring peace. They are now turning around to say no, the president does not have the constitutional power to intervene.”

‘I’LL DO ANYTHING TINUBU WANTS IN 24 HOURS’

Wike said irrespective of the situation he finds himself, he would always do anything demanded of him by Tinubu within 24 hours.

“No matter what circumstances, if Mr. President invites me to a meeting and tells me to do something, within 24 hours I will carry it out,” Wike said.

Wike said while some who attended the meeting are reneging on the agreement, he has “subjected” himself to the “peace process”.

Wike advised Nigerians not to take sides in the political crisis in the state out of ignorance, saying reports making the rounds that he is imposing demands on the state are false.

“Leave blackmail and propaganda, there is nothing I am looking for in the state. The truth would eventually come out,” he added. 

“We must tell our people the simple truth. I have done my part and I am happy. I am doing well in Abuja too. There is nothing I am looking for in this state now.

“All of us, irrespective of who we are, should know that Rivers state belongs to all of us irrespective of where you come from.

“When we were choosing who would rule we never shouted Asawana.”

On December 18, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, and Wike agreed to end the political turmoil between them after a meeting with Tinubu. 

The crisis had climaxed in an attempt to impeach Fubara and the demolition of the house of assembly complex. 

The crisis was linked to the rift between Wike and Fubara, his successor.

Tinubu subsequently intervened to resolve the stand-off between the duo.

However, the president has been criticised by some public affairs analysts for interfering.