The governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has been challenged by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to go head-to-head with the media on the state’s current political unrest.
Wike’s challenge is based on a demand for transparency and responsibility in the face of an unstable political environment.
In an apparent attempt to show his mettle and handle the urgent concerns at hand, Wike called on Fubara to take center stage and participate in a live broadcast session with the media in a video that Channels Television uploaded on their official YouTube channel.
Wike did not mince words in his critique, highlighting the propensity of individuals within Fubara’s camp to wield complaints as weapons, particularly evident in past petitions directed at notable figures like former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike emphasised that he himself is not shielded by immunity and can be subject to petitions.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the governance dynamics in Rivers State, Wike drew upon his own gubernatorial tenure as a reference point.
He reminisced about the legal battle he spearheaded to reclaim the Rivers oil wells from Imo State, a landmark victory that ultimately led to a favourable Supreme Court ruling.
This legal triumph, Wike emphasised, not only bolstered the coffers of Rivers State but also served as a testament to his leadership prowess and unwavering commitment to securing the interests of the state.
Wike said, “When I was governor, I took Imo State to the Supreme Court for our oil wells that were taken, and we defeated them at the Supreme Court. Today, Imo State is collecting the money because I’m not there. It’s not about Wike having this and that; you can also have your own.
“I don’t have immunity, and you can petition me. After all, most of them are experts in writing petitions to the EFCC. They were the ones who wrote a petition against Amaechi to the EFCC; let them write against me.
”If you know you (Fubara) have what it takes, appear before the press and have live coverage of them. Let them ask you questions about this conflict. I talk with the press every day.”
