Jane Otu, South South
DAILY COURIER - Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, has accused his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of defying a court judgment, warning that such actions could lead to chaos and the breakdown of law and order in the state. Wike made these remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, where he expressed concern over the growing political tensions in Rivers State.
Wike condemned Fubara’s alleged refusal to comply with a court ruling, stating that ignoring judicial decisions threatens the rule of law and invites violence. "I was a governor, I have always obeyed the rule of law," Wike said. "The moment you don’t obey court judgment, you are inviting anarchy, you are inviting violence."
The former governor specifically criticized Fubara for publicly stating on national television that he would not adhere to a court judgment, a move Wike described as dangerous and irresponsible.
Wike also took issue with Fubara’s stance on the role of the police during the recently concluded local government elections in Rivers State. He accused the governor of creating the conditions for the violence that erupted across the state on Sunday following the controversial elections.
The political situation in Rivers State escalated dramatically over the past week, with violent clashes and explosions reported in several local government areas. The unrest was linked to an order from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, calling for the unsealing of the 23 local government secretariats in the state. The secretariats had been sealed off by police since July, sparking political controversy.
Despite the withdrawal of major political parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with the police, from the local government elections, Governor Fubara insisted on going ahead with the polls. The elections were held amid heightened tensions, resulting in the Action People’s Party (APP) winning 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, with the Action Alliance (AA) securing one seat.
Governor Fubara quickly swore in the newly elected chairmen on Sunday. However, violence soon followed, with some of the new chairmen facing attacks, and several council secretariats being set ablaze by political opponents. The unrest further intensified on Monday, with fresh protests and explosions occurring at various local government offices across the state.
In response to the escalating violence, President Bola Tinubu directed the police to secure all local government secretariats in Rivers State. The situation remains tense as security forces attempt to restore order, and political factions continue to clash over the legitimacy of the elections and the actions of the state government.
Wike, in his interview, warned that the continued disregard for court rulings and the use of force to settle political disputes could plunge Rivers State into deeper chaos. He called on Governor Fubara to reconsider his approach and prioritize the rule of law to prevent further violence.
“The rule of law is the foundation of any democracy,” Wike stated. “Without it, we are heading towards anarchy.”
The political climate in Rivers State remains volatile, with many stakeholders watching closely to see how the situation unfolds in the coming days.