By Omeiza Ajayi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday launched a blistering counterattack on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, declaring that the identical political forces now being mocked as “barking canines” had been central to Fubara’s emergence as governor.
The event got here because the Ijaw Folks’s Congress in Rivers state dramatically introduced its determination to desert the governor and pitch its tent with Wike.
Wike spoke throughout a thank-you go to to Okrika Native Authorities Space, the place he informed a big crowd that political divisions in Rivers State had been steadily giving solution to unity, insisting that there have been not “no-go areas” within the state’s politics.
In a direct response to latest remarks attributed to Fubara, the previous Rivers governor stated; “That very same canine barked and helped make you governor. This canine that’s barking now was barking when individuals didn’t even know who the individual was. That very same canine barked and helped make the individual governor instantly. It’s considered one of destiny that the identical canine is barking once more. I want you good luck.”
He stated the ambiance within the state had modified considerably as former rivals had been now closing ranks round a shared political function, stressing that the brand new alignment went past get together issues.
Based on him, “I imagine in you, and that perception will take you locations. We used to have some issues, however as we speak everyone seems to be working collectively. Meaning there is no such thing as a longer any no-go space. We aren’t speaking about get together right here; we’re speaking about the true Hope household. All of us have determined that we’re going to work collectively. We won’t make the error we made final time. We’re right here to right that mistake.”
Wike dismissed claims that his political camp lacked electoral energy, arguing that political benefit was decided by group and mobilization moderately than pessimistic projections.
“Some individuals say, ‘They’ll solely ship two to 10 per cent.’ So what’s political benefit?” he requested, including that his supporters would guarantee whole mobilisation when it mattered.
Responding to non-public assaults in opposition to him, the FCT minister defended his educational and political credentials, describing the criticisms because the refuge of political actors who lacked electoral relevance.
“Somebody who was as soon as a senator stated the Minister of the FCT is semi-illiterate. But that very same individual dropped out of college. I went to college, studied Regulation, went to Regulation Faculty and as we speak I’m a Life Bencher. I maintain the nationwide honour of CON. That very same man doesn’t know the way to win elections,” Wike stated, recalling that whereas a few of his critics repeatedly failed on the polls, he had contested and gained main elections twice.
He additionally rejected allegations that he orchestrated authorized or political troubles for opponents, noting that among the instances being referenced predated any affect attributed to him. “In 2016, he refused the EFCC and was prosecuted. Was that additionally me? He escaped jail due to immunity. How come now, when you have got the identical drawback, you’re saying it’s me who’s masterminding it?” he requested.
Explaining the aim of his go to to Okrika, Wike stated he got here to understand loyalty and reaffirm his bond with supporters, warning in opposition to the idea that cash alone may safe political victory.
“Cash can’t resolve all issues. Whoever is assuring you that shouting about your mandate will robotically provide you with victory shouldn’t be right,” he stated, as he thanked the individuals for reclaiming their native council and warranted ladies and neighborhood leaders of continued partnership.
The political undertone of the go to deepened when the Rivers Ijaw Folks’s Congress publicly declared its determination to desert Governor Fubara and align with Wike.
Chairman of the congress, Senator George Sekibo, introduced the choice on the occasion, describing the feud between Fubara and Wike as “very unlucky” however stressing that the Ijaw individuals weren’t ungrateful.
He recalled that Wike supported the emergence of Fubara, an Ijaw son, as governor and was broadly backed by the individuals throughout the state.
“Please don’t take a look at him and assume we’re all ungrateful individuals. Ijaw individuals are very grateful individuals. That’s the reason we deserted him and stated we are going to observe you. You may have executed a lot for Ijaw individuals in Rivers. No matter you say we should always do is what we are going to do,” Sekibo stated.
He pledged the group’s loyalty to Wike and President Bola Tinubu, including that the Ijaw individuals wouldn’t abandon the minister due to his constant help for them.
Chairman of Okrika Native Authorities Council, Akuro Tobin, described Wike as his political godfather, saying the minister had supported many little children of the world into elective and appointive workplaces, whereas the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State Home of Meeting, Linda Stewart, talking for Okrika ladies, stated Wike’s help for girls was unprecedented and prayed for his continued success.
In his closing remarks, Wike thanked the individuals for standing agency with President Tinubu, whom he described as a frontrunner who retains his guarantees, and urged them to proceed supporting people of confirmed character.
He additionally paid a go to to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Akete Tom, commending the monarch for preserving his individuals united, and hinted {that a} determination had already been taken on the 2027 elections, noting that particulars can be communicated in the end.
He, nonetheless, appealed to the standard ruler to not intrude in political actions however to supply steering when essential. “It’s not going to be enterprise as common. Enable us to play our sport, and if there may be any drawback, name us to settle,” the minister stated.
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