Nyesom Wike discusses his stance on Fubara's suspension and Tinubu's state of emergency in Rivers State during a press briefing.
Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, has disclosed that he had advocated for the complete removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state. However, he acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency and suspend Fubara was a necessary step to stabilize the situation.
“As a politician, I’m not happy because I wanted the outright removal of the governor, but for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing,” Wike said during a press briefing in Abuja on April 18, 2025.
The political unrest in Rivers State prompted President Tinubu to suspend Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months. In their place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator to manage the state's governance during the emergency period.
This intervention has sparked a heated debate, with many critics arguing that the suspension of elected officials undermines democratic principles. The Nigerian Bar Association, among others, has called the move unconstitutional, pointing out that a state of emergency does not grant the power to dissolve elected governments.
The political crisis in Rivers State is also closely tied to the recent rise in pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta region, which has disrupted oil production and raised significant national security concerns.
You can watch Nyesom Wike's press briefing regarding the political crisis in Rivers State on April 18, 2025, where he discussed President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In the briefing, Wike acknowledged that while he had advocated for the outright removal of Fubara, he recognized that the president's actions were necessary for the state's stability.
The video provides insights into the political tensions and the federal government's intervention in Rivers State's governance.
For more detailed information on the crisis and its implications, you can refer to the following articles:
These sources offer comprehensive coverage of the events leading up to and following the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
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