Rivers crisis: Those accusing me of demanding 25% ignorant, says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the people accusing him of demanding 25 per cent from the Rivers State Government were ignorant.

Wike said this when a delegation of Rivers Caucus in the 10th National Assembly, comprising three Senators and 11 members of the House of Representatives visited him in Abuja on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

A crisis had erupted in Rivers State following an attempt by the members of the state House of Assembly to impeach the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike said: “I was a governor for eight years. I am now FCT Minister, and some will say that I am asking for 25 per cent. That is madness.

“I am not interested in the governance of Rivers; I am not interested. I am here as a governor in FCT, but I am interested in the political structure of Rivers which we have built over the years.

“If anybody dares to bring it down, the person will face the crisis he wants in his life. Perform or don’t perform, but don’t touch our political structure.

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“Anybody who puts his hand in our structure, anything you see, take it.”

The immediate past governor of Rivers State urged members of the caucus not to disappoint the state but work as a team for the good of the people of the state.

The minister added: “When you make mistakes, we will call you and tell you that you are making a mistake. Take it in good faith that we are calling your attention because we think that you are derailing.

“But when we call you don’t say we are expecting a kickback of 25 per cent from you or so and so per cent.

“All of us are one. We’ve built this political structure for a long time, since 2015, and we have emerged victorious.

“As the opposition party from 2015, I saw hell. The Federal Government fought me left, right, and centre but with your support, we survived.

“When you work as a team, you’ll discover that it is difficult for an outsider to defeat you at home.”

Also speaking, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kinsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said the visit was to identify with the minister.

Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, added that the visit was also to thank Wike for his support during the 2023 election.

He added that Wike played a key role in their emergence as lawmakers in the National Assembly.

The lawmakers, who condemned the political crisis in Rivers State, declared their support for Wike, adding that his appointment was well deserved.

The Star