Rivers Unrest: Wike Holds Fubara Accountable for Violence in the State

Wike’s Accusations Against Fubara

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has accused the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, of being the architect behind the violence in the state. Wike made these statements during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Tuesday. According to Wike, Governor Fubara’s defiance of court rulings has contributed to the instability and unrest in Rivers State.

Wike’s Statement on Violence in Rivers State

During the interview, Wike criticized Fubara for failing to maintain law and order. “Who is the perpetrator of the violence?” Wike asked, before asserting that Governor Fubara is the architect of the violence in Rivers State. He emphasized that he was not in the state during the incidents and distanced himself from any involvement in the unrest. Wike further claimed that his supporters had not engaged in the mayhem and that those chanting “No Wike, No Rivers” were not acting under his direction.

Governor Fubara’s Alleged Disregard for Court Orders

One of the main points of contention, according to Wike, was Fubara’s disregard for court judgments. Wike said, “I was a governor; I have always obeyed the rule of law.” He emphasized the importance of following judicial rulings and warned that failure to do so invites chaos. Wike pointed out that disobedience to court orders directly leads to anarchy and violence in any society. He stated, “The moment you don’t obey court judgment, you are inviting anarchy, you are inviting violence.”

Post-Election Violence in Rivers State

This accusation comes on the heels of post-election violence in Rivers State, where five people were reportedly killed and three local government secretariats were burned. The violence allegedly erupted after political thugs, reportedly loyal to former Governor Wike, protested the results of the local government elections. This sparked widespread unrest in various parts of the state.

Wike’s Emphasis on the Rule of Law

Wike reiterated his commitment to the rule of law during his tenure as governor. He stated that it was the responsibility of those in power to follow judicial decisions, no matter how inconvenient they may seem. Wike also warned that ignoring the rule of law can set a dangerous precedent for future governance in the state, further emphasizing that Governor Fubara’s actions were detrimental to maintaining peace in Rivers.

Social Media Reactions

The comments from Wike have generated widespread reactions across social media platforms. Here are some of the responses from users online:

1. @uchelawyer: “Wike is right. No one is above the law, not even the governor.”
2. @kingdomvoice21: “If Wike always obeyed the rule of law, why is Rivers still in chaos after his rule?”
3. @naijaobserver: “Fubara must answer for the lawlessness in Rivers.”
4. @justiceseeker: “Politicians pointing fingers while Rivers burns. We need solutions, not blame games.”
5. @ifeanyiokwu: “Wike shouldn’t pretend he didn’t contribute to the political tension in Rivers.”
6. @realtruthng: “This is the result of playing dirty politics. Fubara needs to fix the situation fast.”
7. @riverspulse: “When leaders don’t follow court orders, the people suffer.”
8. @tomidewrites: “Wike says Fubara is the cause of violence but what about his loyalists?”
9. @ayo_policytalk: “Both Wike and Fubara need to de-escalate the tension in Rivers.”
10. @solocitizen_ng: “It’s sad that Rivers continues to suffer violence post-election.”
11. @basseylawson: “Fubara must respect the courts or we are headed for more unrest.”
12. @truevoice_rivers: “Rivers deserves better than this constant political turmoil.”
13. @ife_royal: “Wike blaming Fubara doesn’t solve the violence. We need leadership.”
14. @kamsivictor: “Rivers State should not be a battleground for political fights.”
15. @policychange_ng: “Court orders must be respected. Governor or not, the law is the law.”

Conclusion

The ongoing tension between Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara has further deepened with the recent accusations. Wike’s comments highlight the significance of obeying court judgments and maintaining peace in Rivers State. As the political situation escalates, all eyes are on how the Rivers State government will address the current unrest and prevent further violence.