ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has voiced dissatisfaction with the presidential proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, saying he had preferred the outright removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, made the remarks during a media parley in Abuja on Friday.
President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state last month, citing persistent political instability and a spike in security threats, including recent pipeline explosions. The decision led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.
To oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency period, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as sole administrator — a move that has ignited national debate.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers State. I wanted the outright removal of the governor,” Wike said. “But for the interest of the state, the President did the right thing to prevent anarchy,” he said.
