- The former governor insisted his only mistake was advising Fubara to support those who contributed to his electoral victory.
- Wike challenged Fubara to name any project initiated under his leadership, stating that many ongoing projects were his administration’s initiatives.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he would not prevent the Rivers State House of Assembly from carrying out its lawful responsibilities.
Wike mentioned that he anticipated the ongoing political turmoil and had advised his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accordingly, but the governor disregarded his coun
sel and surrounded himself with ‘ingrates’.
During a Thanksgiving/Civic Reception on Saturday in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, organised by Ijaw stakeholders under New Associates Kalabari, Wike made these remarks publicly.
He criticised the governor for suspending the salaries and allowances of the 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule, influenced by those who assured him nothing would happen.
The former governor explained that his only wrongdoing was advising Fubara to care for those who supported him, ensuring they were not neglected after his victory.
Wike stated, “The primaries came (PDP primaries). Today, the governor said he was not going to run and that my Commissioner of Finance, Isaac Kamalu, should be the one to run.”
“What did we do wrong? We said all the council chairmen suffered. All the Assemblymen suffered. National Assemblymen suffered for you to become governor. Therefore, don’t abandon them.”
“That was the only offence I committed’ and then they said every time I’m asking for money. Which money am I asking for? Okay, thank you. Has the money come?”
He continued, “Those they are sharing the money to, how far? What I always tell people to remember yesterday. A man is bad, a man is a crook, a man is a criminal, but it was that criminal, it was that crook who said come, take against all odds. If I hated the Ijaw people, I would not have conceded to it, and nothing would have happened, but because of my principle of living and letting live.”
“If you watch all those around the governor, they are people who are natural ingrates. Only those who believe that they cannot appreciate and thank God for any good thing will associate themselves. I told the governor that all these things you are seeing are not good for you to face this crisis. But they told him you’re Governor, you have money. I agree. Money is not everything. All these people don’t have anything to offer. See where we are now. How far!”
He noted that many of the state’s current projects, including the Ring Road, were initiated during his tenure and later transferred to the governor for execution.
He challenged Fubara to name any project he personally initiated, questioning whether mere criticism could replace actual developmental contributions within the state.
“It is not to abuse us. You can abuse me as much as you want, and let me tell you, I have never bothered myself because abuse does not kill anybody. What is important is the result. Is it not?”
“Who has High Blood Pressure now? Not them? We we dey sit down dey enjoy. They have high blood pressure. This is what I was avoiding I said look, don’t go through this route. They told you to seize assembly members’ salaries and allowances for more than one year.”
“These people have no income to pay their children’s school fees or feed their families, and you were jubilating. People were encouraging you, and nothing will happen. Something has happened.”
“And let me tell you I’m not going to stop the assembly from performing their Constitutional duty. The assembly should be allowed to perform its constitutional duty. People who love peace don’t threaten people.”
“Assembly people should do their work. Whatever they deem necessary that is Constitutional they should do. I’m not going to stop anybody from carrying out his or her powers. I will not do that.”
On Friday, the assembly indefinitely suspended its sittings, coinciding with the governor’s letter to the Speaker announcing his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill on March 19.
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