The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, has responded to the political crisis in the state saying he would fight back should anyone attempt to take his political structures in the state.
Wike stated this yesterday when he hosted state governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who paid him a visit in his office in Abuja.
The governors were on an intervention mission following the political altercation between him and his successor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara.
The team was led by the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) and governor of Bauchi State, Mr Bala Mohammed.
Other governors on the entourage included Messrs Ahmadu Fintri, (Adamawa), Caleb Muftwang, (Plateau) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba State).
Recall that there was an attempt on Monday, October 30 by more than 20 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike to impeach Fubara.
The move led to political turmoil in the state as the governor’s loyalists trooped to the assembly complex in protest against the impeachment plot.
Addressing the PDP governors, Wike said he struggled to ensure Fubara succeeded him, but regretted that he (Fubara) had turned around to empower his (Wike’s) political enemies to tamper with his structures in order to bring him down.
The minister vowed not to allow anyone to take his political machinery, stressing that he will never be intimidated by anyone.
“Let me thank my brothers and friends for this wonderful visit, just to appreciate Mr. President for giving me this position and we will continue to work for Mr. President to realise his renewed hope agenda.
“I have made it clear to everybody that I am not here for any party. I am here for the interest of Nigeria and the unity of the country. I am still a PDP member and I have never hidden my decision.
“They have talked about the crisis in Rivers state. Let me tell anybody who cares that nobody can intimidate me.
“It does not matter whether you go and bring thugs, or you say you are Ijaw,” he said.
Justifying the impeachment move, Wike said: ‘If I want to do something I will do it. Impeachment is not a military coup, it is provided for under the constitution.”
On the speculations that money is root cause of the crisis with his godson, the minister said: “About the rumours of money, all that is rubbish. I just left office a few months ago and I am now the FCT minister. So, which money?
“I hear they said I gave a limit of what he can do, I want 25 per cent. These are ridiculous. I am not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure in Rivers state. I will not shut my eyes.
“Nobody can take away our political structure, no one. I have listened to them and for me, you cannot work and people will begin to bring enemies; those who fought you. Nobody does that.
“Forget about the Obedience and the Atikus, who have lost, who felt I did not support them, and those who revoke their C of O.
“Wike did this, Wike did that’ because I did not support their presidential candidates. All those things I am not perturbed, I will only do what is right.
“The President is our father, he has spoken. We will see where it takes us. But no amount of propaganda; my conscience is clear nobody can rubbish me.
“I am not a person you can go to social media and say all kinds of things and you go free. So be careful I can fight back.”
