Wike Denies Inviting Tinubu to Intervene in Rivers Crisis

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, revealed during a thanksgiving ceremony for the former works commissioner, George Kelly Alabo, that he did not personally invite President Bola Tinubu to mediate in the political crisis between him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State.

Addressing the congregation at the Kings’ Assembly in Port Harcourt, Wike clarified, “I was not the one who invited Mr. President. You people are the ones –

“You are the ones who said that the President should intervene and the President has intervened to bring peace.

“You now turned around to say he does not have the constitutional power”

Wike expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s involvement but highlighted the congregation’s role in urging the President to intervene. He emphasized the need for unity and cooperation, stating, “No matter what circumstances, if the President invites me to a meeting and tells me to do something, within 24 hours I will carry it out because not only as President, I have subjected myself to the peace process”

The intervention reportedly occurred following a prolonged disagreement between Governor Fubara and Wike, escalating on October 29 and 30 when the House of Assembly’s chamber was burnt amid alleged impeachment attempts. The crisis led to the emergence of two factional speakers and defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Tinubu’s closed-door meeting with key stakeholders, including Wike, resulted in an eight-point resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. However, critics such as Chief Edwin Clark and Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) have labeled the intervention as “unconstitutional.”

The controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s involvement continues to unfold, raising questions about the constitutional implications of such interventions in state politics.