Rivers crisis: Nobody can intimidate me, Wike tells PDP govs

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesome Wike, on Wednesday, told Governors under the platform of People Democratic Party (PDP) that he could not be intimidated, while warning against any tampering with the political structure in Rivers state.

The Minister made the statement after a closed-door meeting with members of the PDP Governors’ Forum led by Chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, on a courtesy visit to the Minister’s office, accompanied by Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Muftwang, and Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas.

Tribune Online reports that a crisis erupted in Rivers State on Monday, after an attempt by the Rivers State Assembly to impeach the incumbent Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Following the crisis, Tribune Online reports that the PDP Governors Forum summoned an emergency meeting in a bid to de-escalate the crisis.

However, Wike, while addressing the PDP Governors, said he would not be intimidated, noting that impeachment moves were not equivalent to a military coup, but were a provision in the country’s constitution.

He dismissed rumours of interest in monies belonging to Rivers State, adding that nobody could take away the political structure in the state.

“Nobody can intimidate me. If I want to do something, I will do it. Impeachment is not a military coup; it is provided under the Constitution. I’m not interested in all the rumours, money, this, and that. Rubbish. Absolute rubbish. I just left office, how many months ago? And I’m FCT Minister, so which money?

“But nobody can take away our political structure. No one. You cannot work and people will begin to bring enemies, those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office. Nobody does that. I’m not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure of the state. I will not shut my eyes”, Wike said.

Wike also appreciated the Governor’s Forum for the courtesy visit and appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the privilege to serve as FCT Minister, while reiterating his support for the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Earlier, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum thanked Wike for his willingness to resolve issues, noting that the Forum had “waded into the matter”, saying that showed the importance of Rivers State. He also commended the President for his appointment of Wike as FCT Minister, noting that his antecedents speak volumes of his ability to lead.

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