The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the suspended Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara, had visited him, in company of two other governors from the APC, to have peace talks.
Addressing developments in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, Wike noted that the governor continued to foil peace efforts.
“Yes, he came. He came with two governors and one other person. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors, so I will not pursue them. And he said he wants peace, fine. I want peace,” he said.
The minister also described the experiences of the embattled governor as “self-inflicted injury”, noting that he had previously invited the governor in the presence of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, and former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, noting, however, that Fubara failed to heed their advice.
“Indeed, this is a self-inflicted injury. He does not need it. When this thing started, I called him, Seyi Makinde was there, Ortom was there, Ikpeazu was there, Ugwuanyi was there, we were scouting. We sat him down and said this thing is not good for you,” he stated. “This was a young man, I said look, go this way, go this way, you will not have problems. People came, do not mind him, assert yourself as the governor. You have asserted now, trouble has come. They have declared a state of emergency; who wears the show knows where it pinches him. Who will suffer? Assuming now, you don’t settle this problem, and the state of emergency is called off, has the problem ended? No.”
Wike also said he was doubtful of the capacity of the governor to make peace, noting that while he (Fubara) sued for peace, there were steps he was yet to take.
“I told him, I don’t think you can really make this peace, because it’s not easy. Why? If you are making peace, and your people are demonstrating every day; if you are making peace and your people are busy on television insulting people, how do you feel in that case? You must take steps. There are leaders you should meet. Have you met the assembly people? It’s not to say I want peace, you must show by conduct and by action, that indeed (you want peace).”
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
