Wike accused the governor of withholding salaries and allowances of the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers based on misguided advice from his close allies.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that he will not prevent the Rivers State House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, despite the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Speaking at a thanksgiving event in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, organised by some Ijaw stakeholders, Wike said that he had foreseen the crisis and had advised his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accordingly.
However, according to Wike, Fubara disregarded his counsel and instead aligned himself with individuals he described as “ingrates.”
Wike accused the governor of withholding salaries and allowances of the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers based on misguided advice from his close allies.
“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,” The PUNCH quoted Wike as saying.
“What did we do wrong? We said all the council chairmen suffered. All the Assembly men suffered. National Assembly men 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?”
The former governor further criticised those surrounding Fubara, claiming they were individuals incapable of genuine loyalty.
“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,” he said.
He also took credit for several ongoing projects in Rivers State, including the Ring Road project, stating that these were initiated by his administration and handed over to Fubara to continue.
“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,” Wike added.
He added, “Who has high blood pressure now? Not them? 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.”
Wike lambasted the governor for allegedly celebrating the financial struggles of lawmakers whose salaries were withheld, despite their inability to support their families.
“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,” he remarked.
He reiterated his stance on allowing the state assembly to function independently, warning against threats to its authority.
“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.”
The crisis within the state legislature deepened last Friday when the assembly adjourned its sittings indefinitely.
The decision came shortly after Governor Fubara notified the Speaker of his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
As the political tension continues, all eyes remain on the Rivers State House of Assembly and its next course of action in the unfolding drama.