Rivers Crisis: Amaechi Challenges Wike/Fubara
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has openly called on Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, to come forward and disclose the real reason behind their political feud.
Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, alleged that the ongoing power struggle between Wike and Fubara is rooted in disputes over financial allocations. He insisted that both parties should publicly address Nigerians on the matter instead of allowing speculations to fester.
“The fight between the former governor of Rivers State – the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory – and the current governor is about sharing money,” Amaechi stated. “If not, what’s the quarrel? The truth is that Nigerians no longer seem to dislike corruption because I’ve not seen anyone on the streets demanding answers.”
Amaechi questioned why there has been no public outcry over the crisis, urging both political figures to “come to the public and tell us what the quarrel is about.”
Reacting to Fubara’s suspension and the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, Amaechi warned that democracy is being undermined in the state.
He lamented that the people of Rivers have been denied the right to a functional democratic system, stating that the current political situation resembles military rule rather than a constitutional government.
“We are now denied democracy. Rivers State is the only state in the country that can’t practice democracy,” he remarked. “They’ve imposed a military rule on us.”
Furthermore, he accused President Tinubu of acting outside the constitutional provisions regarding the removal of a sitting governor. Citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, Amaechi argued that a governor can only leave office through death, resignation, or impeachment, emphasizing that due process must be followed.
The ongoing crisis between Wike and Fubara has continued to raise concerns about governance in Rivers State, with political observers warning that the dispute could further destabilize the region if left unresolved.
