The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticized Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for allegedly disregarding a court judgment, warning that such actions could lead to widespread chaos and violence.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike condemned Fubara’s stance, stressing that the refusal to uphold the rule of law would plunge the state into disorder.
“I was a governor, I have always obeyed the rule of law. You heard the governor say that our state is turning into a state of anarchy where people do not obey the rule of law,” Wike said.
“You must obey the judgment of the court. You must not take the law into your own hands. The moment you don’t obey court judgment, you are inviting anarchy, you are inviting violence,” he added.
Wike also criticized Fubara for publicly announcing that he would not comply with a court ruling. He further accused the governor of complicity in the violence that erupted across the state, particularly during the local government elections.
Political tensions in Rivers escalated on Monday, as reports emerged of fresh explosions and violent protests at several local government secretariats. The unrest followed an order by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which called for the unsealing of the 23 local government secretariats and the withdrawal of police officers stationed there since July.
Despite the withdrawal of major political parties and the police from the election, Fubara insisted that the local polls go forward.
The elections, held under tense conditions, saw the Action People’s Party win 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance secured one.
The violence intensified after Fubara swore in the newly elected chairmen on Sunday. On Monday, several council offices were attacked, with some set ablaze by political rivals.
