Rivers crisis: CSO appeals House of Representatives wants Wike fired as minister

The House of Representatives has been petitioned by the civil society organisation Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, or CSJET, to investigate and remove Nyesom Wike from his position as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory due to his alleged involvement in an impeachment plot involving Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The petition called for a probe into the role of security forces, particularly members of the Nigerian Police Force, who were allegedly involved in an attempted assassination of the governor. It was reportedly acknowledged and approved by the Green Chamber at plenary on Tuesday.

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The organisation also denounced the illegal suspension of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the state’s anti-Fubara troops’ burning of the State Assembly Complex in the October 30, 2023, petition, which was sent to Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House.

They also denounced attempts by certain House members to remove Fubara from office, calling them illogical, irrational, and an effort to prevent the governor from carrying out his ambitious goals for the state’s development.

A portion of the petition stated: “We are an organisation that is non-partisan, non-governmental, and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Our main goal is to become a major force behind the mainstreaming of social justice in public life through policy engagement and interventions that result in the improvement of rights, economic, political, and social reforms, and sustainable livelihoods.

We are writing to alert you to the impending crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and, moreover, in the Rivers State Government overall, and to ask that you assist in finding a solution to the issue that is roiling the state.

“Earlier this week, there was a failed attempt on the life of the Rivers State governor, and the Rivers State House of Assembly made coordinated efforts to impeach him.

The information in our petition is as follows: It was claimed on Sunday, October 29, 2023, that unknown political thugs set the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) on fire in an attempt to remove the governor. The governor was visiting the compound for an inspection when the assassination attempt took place. The governor was shot with live ammunition by some police officers who are thought to have been corrupted with the goal of killing him.

It was discovered that the event took place on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, across from the State Command Police Headquarters at the House of Assembly Complex. Even after the plots to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office had been completed, there were still intentions to murder him. At approximately 8:15 a.m. on Monday, lawmakers were observed driving out of the Assembly accompanied by heavily armed security guards, following the sitting.

“After the gunfire and the discharge of tear gas. Police were chasing everyone, including employees whose workplaces are in the neighbourhood, and others were running about wildly. The Rivers House of Assembly’s Speaker. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Martin Amoewhule, who decided to start the procedure.

The House Speaker was also placed on suspension by the lawmakers. Twenty-four members of the Assembly signed the resolution to remove Mr. Edison Enie and others, who were thought to be loyal to the governor.

“Water cannons and tear gas were fired at the governor, who had come to the Assembly to watch the proceedings. as of the time of publication. Supporters of the governor are staging a protest outside the facility to oppose his impending impeachment. Under Governor Fubara’s direction, Rivers State has made tremendous progress towards stability and development.

“The governor has supported measures and plans that have improved people’s quality of life. Power battles and political disputes shouldn’t stand in the way of advancement, and the will of the people must be honoured.