Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that he would have preferred the complete removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara rather than the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Wike made the statement during a media chat held in Abuja on Friday, April 18.
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State last month due to rising political tensions and security threats, including pipeline explosions.
As part of the measure, Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed to oversee the state as sole administrator until the crisis is resolved.
Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, said:
“As a politician, I’m not pleased with the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers. I would have preferred the governor’s outright removal. But the president did what was necessary to prevent the state from descending into chaos.”
He added:
“The matter is currently in court, but people need to be honest. The governor was already out. It’s not my responsibility to make things easy for him. As a politician, it’s not my job to ensure his comfort.”
Wike and Governor Fubara have remained at odds since Fubara assumed office.
