Rivers crisis: “Those who say I’m asking for 25% are ignorant”- Wike

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT), stated on Thursday that people who were accusing him of expecting a quarter of the Rivers government’s revenue were uninformed.

This was said by Wike during a visit to Abuja by a group of Rivers Caucus members in the 10th National Assembly, which included three senators and eleven members of the House of Representatives.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Rivers Assembly’s attempt to remove the current governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, from office resulted in a crisis in Rivers.

For eight years, I served as a governor. Some may argue that, as the FCT Minister, I am requesting a quarter of the total. That is insane.

“I have no interest in overseeing the governance of Rivers. Although I am a governor in the Federal Capital Territory, I am interested in the political system that we have established in Rivers over the years.

“The person will confront the crisis he desires in his life if they have the audacity to bring it down. Donate or not donate, but don’t tamper with our political system.

He issued a warning, saying, “Anybody who puts his hand in our structure, anything you see, take it.”

He pleaded with the caucus members to cooperate for the sake of the Rivers people rather than let the state down.

“We will call you and tell you that you are making a mistake when you make mistakes,” the minister declared. Please accept our sincere apologies for bringing your notice, but it appears that you are going off course.

“However, don’t imply we’re expecting a 25% kickback from you or something like that when we call you.

“We are all one. Since 2015, we have been constructing this political system, and we have succeeded.

“As the 2015 opposition party, I witnessed hell.” The Federal Government opposed me from all sides, but we made it through with your help.

“You will find that it is difficult for an outsider to defeat you at home when you work as a team.”

Speaking earlier on behalf of the team, Mr. Kinsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, stated that the purpose of the visit was to establish a connection with the minister.

The visit was also intended as a thank you to Wike for his support during the general elections of 2023, stated Chinda, who represents the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.

He went on to say that he was a major factor in their rise to prominence as National Assembly legislators.

He praised Wike for his appointment, denounced the state’s political impasse, and reaffirmed their unwavering support for Wike. In NAN