Edith CHUKU
The FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has accused his handpicked successor, Siminalayi Fubara, of going against a supposed agreement reached before the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike noted that parts of the agreement reached when Tinubu intervened in the Rivers State crisis was for the state house of assembly led by the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, to withdraw it’s impeachment against the governor while the governor forfeits his second term ambition.
The FCT minister stated this on Wednesday, during his monthly media chat, where he expressed disbelief that loyalists purchased the nomination and expression of interest form for Fubara.
Wike asked Fubara why he did not reject the supposed offer for a re-election if it was not in his intention.
“Nobody wants anybody, you can go and tell market people or children of two years. Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.
“That you appeared before a president of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part. The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.
“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”
On the forthcoming 2027 gubernatorial election in the state, the FCT minister said he was yet to endorse a candidate.
Addressing claims that O.K Chinda has picked the governorship form under the platform of PDP, Wike asked, “have you seen the PDP who collected the form. How are you sure that Chinda collected form? George Kelly brought out his form so you can see, where did you see Chinda bring out form?
“PDP is contesting election in my state. We have said anybody who wants to run should go and collect at the appropriate time we will decide who we are going to back.”
On presentation of the state’s budget to the house of assembly, the FCT minister said, “The governor is yet to submit his budget to the House of Assembly, but he is busy pursuing his second-term ambition.”
He warned that the delay in presenting the budget could hamper the smooth running of government activities and the delivery of essential services to residents.
