Renowned Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has made a fervent plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging his swift intervention in the escalating political turmoil within Rivers State.
In his address, Clark specifically highlighted the urgent need for the President to caution the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, in light of recent developments.
Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment of Fubara Amidst House Leader Suspension
The backdrop to Clark’s plea stems from the serving of an impeachment notice to the incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Siminalaye Fubura, by a significant portion of the State Assembly. This notice, signed by twenty-four out of thirty-two Assembly members, was delivered on the fateful Monday of October 30.
Speaking out on the delicate situation in Rivers State, Clark emphasized the imperative role of the President in reining in Wike and overseeing the conduct of security agencies to forestall any potential catastrophic fallout within the state. Amid mounting tensions, the veteran leader stressed the critical need for proactive measures to be swiftly implemented to avert any form of societal upheaval.
He said:
“I have been greatly disturbed by the reported developments in Rivers State in the last 24 hours. I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Siminalaye Fubara, who has spent only about 5 months in office.
“I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. And that the intention is to remove the Governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu to resign, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly, another Ikwerre person as the governor of the State.
“Let me warn strongly, we won’t allow that to happen! President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order, to avert any untold crisis in Rivers State.
Explosion Rocks Rivers House of Assembly Complex
“Last night, the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly was burnt, in what apparently is part of the plot to destabilize the State. The governor was tear-gassed and was even threatened with being shot at when he visited the Assembly Complex after the incident, to assess the level of damage.
“We are not in a barbaric state where people can do whatever they like; we are in a democracy and the tenets of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all Rivers people who have suffered enough political crises, the state should not be allowed to degenerate again into its dark past, and the Niger Delta Region by extension. The consequences would be dire for the stability of the region and the National Economy.
Governor Fubara Faces Impeachment Amidst House Turmoil
“What has Governor Fubara done wrong? Refusing to be further “remote controlled”?
“Mr. Nyesom Wike was Governor for 8 years, nobody hassled him. He governed Rivers State like an Emperor, he did not show any iota of respect and regard to anyone, not even those who imposed him on Rivers people in 2015.
“President Tinubu must act fast and avert the unfolding crisis in Rivers State in the interest of his administration, the nation’s democracy, and the Country at large. A word is enough for the wise!”