Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has backed the possible impeachment of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, arguing that the process is constitutional and not a criminal act.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike criticized Fubara for what he described as impunity and a lack of commitment to resolving the political crisis in the state.
“Politics is not a game for the naive. If he has committed an impeachable offense, let them impeach him. It’s within the law,” Wike declared, emphasizing that loyalty in politics should be mutual.
The former Rivers governor dismissed concerns that Fubara’s removal could lead to instability in the Niger Delta, particularly threats of militant action.
“Who are the militants? Who told you only Ijaw people can blow up pipelines? Why do we keep attributing power to certain groups? If you threaten a sitting president with violence over a lawful action, then let everything blow up. Enough is enough,” he stated.
Wike accused Fubara of failing to foster a good working relationship with the Rivers State House of Assembly, suggesting that the governor’s approach has been confrontational rather than conciliatory.
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink,” he said.
He further questioned Fubara’s unwillingness to engage in peace efforts, stating that the governor had never reached out to him.
“Does he even think I have a role to play? Has he ever called me? The elders who supported his emergence are disappointed. Leadership is about relationships, not a master-servant dynamic,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister also took a swipe at the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), calling it the “worst organization” he had ever encountered, accusing it of trying to disrupt President Bola Tinubu’s mediation efforts in the Rivers crisis.
