*Wike’s Councillor Resigns, Cites Intimidation, Declares Support For Gov
RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed willingness to give up his office if that would make peace to reign in the state.
Fubara has been at loggerheads with former governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in a political supremacy battle, climaxing in the bombing and later, demolition of the state House of Assembly complex over attempt to impeach the governor.
Twenty-seven members of the Assembly loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but later rescinded their action.
President Bola Tinubu later brokered peace between Wike and Fubara, which many believed put Fubara in a disadvantageous position.
Speaking in a television interview on Thursday, March 7, in Port Harcourt, the governor said no sacrifice would be too big for him to pay for the success of the administration.
Fubara said he was more worried about the fate of Rivers people who had made sacrifices, adding: “No sacrifice would be too big for me to pay for the success of this administration. And the reason is simple: it’s not political love. It’s not because I want to gain any favour from anybody, my interest and love for our dear state is genuine.
“I am not trying to say I want to be one man that will be there to decide the fate of all. No. But let Rivers State remain.
“My burden at that time was not the issue of all the drama; it is the issue of Rivers people who have made sacrifice, who are seeing opportunity, and it looks as if their hope has been dashed. They were the ones I was worried about; what would be their fate. That was my trouble, it was not about me.
“If leaving this position is what I need or what is needed to bring more peace to the state, I can even tell you to come and take it. It’s not about me, people should know although definitely I am here, I will go, but Rivers State will remain.
“I’m the governor, there are things I could have done and there would be total crisis, but the ability to restrain in the face of crisis, even when you have the power to do things is maturity.”
Meanwhile, the Councillor representing Ward 9 in Obio/Akpor Local Council of the state, Achor Nna, has resigned his position as the Leader of the Legislative Council.
Wike is from same ward.
Nna, who resigned via a letter, dated March 7, 2024 and addressed to the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Rosemary Brown, and declared support for Fubara.
The letter read in part: “This resignation is borne out of my personal conviction to align with the truth in the face of the current political issues in Rivers.”
He said his action was due to “unwarranted intimidation, marginalisation, coercion, bullying and arm-twisting from the leaders of the Obio/Akpor Local Government.
“I want to align with the progressive minds to liberate and develop Rivers. Let it be known that this resignation will never negate my earlier resolve to work in consonance with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope,” he said.
