- Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark alleges a plot by Nyesom Wike to orchestrate the removal of Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara
- Clark has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure a peaceful resolution to the political crisis in Rivers State
Chief Edwin Clark, an elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has alleged that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is orchestrating a plan to impeach the current Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara.
According to Clark, Wike’s objective is to compel the resignation of Fubara’s deputy through a successful impeachment process and subsequently install the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly as the new governor.
In response to these claims, Clark has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and advise Nyesom Wike, as well as call upon the security agencies in Rivers State to ensure the situation does not escalate further.
The recent developments in Rivers State have raised concerns as the Rivers State House of Assembly removed Edison Ehie, a key ally of Governor Fubara and the majority leader, allegedly due to his opposition to initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Following this, the governor and his supporters, reportedly accompanied by armed security personnel, appeared at the assembly complex to disrupt the impeachment proceedings.
In his statement on Monday, Chief Edwin Clark stressed the importance of upholding the principles of constitutional democracy in Nigeria. He expressed concern over the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, emphasizing that Nigerians have endured enough political turmoil and calling for a peaceful resolution.
Clark’s statement reads, in part, “I have been deeply troubled by the recent developments in Rivers State over the past 24 hours. I have received reliable information indicating a scheme to remove the sitting Governor of Rivers State illegitimately, His Excellency Siminalaye Fubara, who has been in office for only about 5 months.”
He continued, “I understand that this distressing situation is being orchestrated by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. Their intention appears to be the removal of the Governor, the resignation of his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and the installation of another Ikwerre person as the state’s governor, who happens to be the Speaker of the House of Assembly.”
Clark concluded with a stern warning, stating, “We will not allow this to happen. President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order to prevent any potential crisis in Rivers State. The consequences could be severe, affecting the region’s stability and the national economy.”
He also questioned the motivation behind the alleged plot, asking, “What has Governor Fubara done wrong? Is it simply because he refuses to be further ‘remote controlled’? Mr. Nyesom Wike served as governor for 8 years without interference; he governed Rivers State with absolute authority and without showing any respect to anyone, including those who facilitated his election in 2015.”