Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara, if necessary, would not constitute a criminal offense.
Speaking during a live media chat on Wednesday, Wike declared that politics is not a game and that due process should be followed in holding public officials accountable.
“Politics is not play. If he has done something to be impeached, let them impeach him. It’s not a criminal offence,” he said.
Wike also took a swipe at pro-Fubara lawmakers, questioning their legitimacy and the validity of their legislative activities.
“I cannot believe that in this country, we are now at the point where Nigerians are talking about where three members of the House will sit and make a law, and they are talking about going to the Supreme Court. Do we need to go to work?”
The political crisis in Rivers State escalated after the Supreme Court recognized 27 pro-Wike lawmakers and nullified the local government elections held in October 2024.
Commending those who challenged what he described as illegality, Wike insisted that elected officials should not be treated as subordinates.
“Speakers and Assembly members are not our children; they were elected; they are not your boys or your girls. You sit with them and play with them. I travelled with my Speakers, and I created relationships. It’s not a master-servant thing,” he remarked.
Reflecting on past political events, Wike recalled how an elder statesman, Ferdinand Alabaraba, who supported the emergence of an Ijaw governor, was later disrespected by the very person he helped.
“This elder statesman cried; he almost cried. This boy later insulted this elder statesman; now he can’t go back to him for help. Ordinarily, these are the people who will call the family people. Forget about me,” he added.
With tensions in Rivers State still running high, Wike’s remarks are likely to intensify the ongoing political debate surrounding Fubara’s fate.
