Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has firmly stated that only President Bola Tinubu possesses the authority to remove him from his ministerial position. This declaration comes as a direct response to mounting calls from various critics demanding his dismissal over his alleged involvement in the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State.
Wike's Defiant Stance on Ministerial Tenure
Speaking during a thank-you tour in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Wike dismissed the demands for his sack as inconsequential. He emphasized that the power to appoint and dismiss him rests solely with the President who appointed him. "People who say, 'sack me,' it doesn't lie in their mouth," Wike asserted. "If my appointor believes that I cannot offer anything again, he has the right; it is not that you should tell him."
To drive his point home, the Minister drew a parallel with international politics, asking rhetorically, "After all, if Donald Trump does not have the power, will he go to Venezuela to pick a president?" He further stressed to his supporters in Obio/Akpor that political power is earned, not given, and that they possessed the strength to influence governance. "For the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who will rule," he declared.
The Rivers State Crisis and Calls for Removal
Wike's comments were a direct rebuttal to groups like the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), which had publicly called for his removal from office. These demands are linked to the impeachment proceedings initiated against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by the state's House of Assembly.
Lawmakers had accused Governor Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct, leading to a seven-count impeachment notice. However, the Assembly's spokesperson, Enemi George, rejected widespread claims that Minister Wike was the engineer behind the process. George argued that it was "insulting to reduce the activities of an institution created by the Constitution to just politics or an individual."
He used a vivid analogy to describe the situation, stating, "This is pouring oil into water, and those two don't mix unless boiled." While acknowledging his political alignment with Wike, George insisted that the Assembly's constitutional duties should not be conflated with political disputes.
A Deepening Rift with Wider Implications
The political feud between Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara is rooted in a struggle for control over the political structures in Rivers State. Despite a previous intervention by President Tinubu aimed at reconciliation, the rift has continued to widen.
Wike has publicly accused Governor Fubara of reneging on commitments, labeling it a breach of trust. He has also issued warnings to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are backing Fubara, telling them to stay out of Rivers State affairs.
This prolonged conflict is causing significant concern among stakeholders. Rivers State is a major oil-producing region and a crucial political bloc in Nigeria's South-South. The instability threatens to disrupt governance and economic stability in the state, with potential ripple effects on national revenue and security. The situation remains tense as all eyes are on Abuja to see how President Tinubu will navigate this delicate political standoff.
