Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has shed light on Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s whereabouts, saying he has spoken with the reinstated governor and that Fubara is ready to return to Rivers State following the suspension of the six-month emergency rule.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed contact with the governor and said he had forgiven Fubara.
He said: “I have already said that we’ve been speaking. I will not engage with a man I have not forgiven. Everything is over. I am not a politician who says one thing today and another tomorrow. We must move forward.
“Unfortunately, there are people who do not want peace. Today, I watched individuals twisting the law, claiming illegality in the conduct of local government elections. But ask them: what did they do to prevent such illegality in the first place? When you hear them pontificating and shouting, you would think they have solutions—yet they do nothing except attempt to create crisis. The president has done a great deal for us, and peace has been restored.”
When pressed about the governor’s precise location, Wike said he was not the governor’s chief of staff nor his chief protocol officer.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Governor Fubara did not return to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, a day after President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule that had suspended the governor, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu and the State House of Assembly in March.
Thousands of supporters had gathered at the Government House gates from as early as 6 a.m. expecting the governor’s return, but many dispersed by midday as Fubara’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Those at the scene included sacked local government chairmen loyal to Fubara — among them Chijoke Ihunwo of Obio/Akpor and Ezebunwo Itche-Mati of Port Harcourt City — while allies of Wike and newly elected council chairmen seen as loyal to him were notably absent.
During the emergency period, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) served as sole administrator of the state.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened at the legislative quarters conference hall with Speaker Martins Amaewhule presiding. Lawmakers have opened a probe into the state finances under Ibas and have asked Governor Fubara to forward a list of commissioner-nominees for screening.
