Rivers State Crisis: PDP Defends Fubara, Slams Wike’s Criticism
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his recent comments regarding the local government elections in the state.
In a Tuesday interview with Channels TV, Wike expressed his discontent with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to proceed with the elections, despite a court ruling against it. The ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja found that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had violated necessary protocols by failing to provide the required 90-day notice before scheduling the election.
The court also prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission from releasing the voter register to the RSIEC and barred the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services from providing security for the elections. This ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the state chapter of the APC, challenging the October 5 election date.
Despite the ruling, the elections were held as planned, with Fubara’s allies winning 22 out of 23 local government areas. The election period was marred by violent clashes between supporters of Wike and Fubara, including an arson attack on the Ikwerre Local Government secretariat.
Wike accused Fubara of undermining democracy by ignoring the court’s decision and suggested that Fubara’s attempt to remove House Speaker Martin Amaewhule exacerbated the conflict.
In response, the PDP urged Wike and his supporters to take their grievances to court if they disagreed with the election results. Sydney Gbara, the PDP publicity secretary, pointed out the inconsistency in Wike’s position, noting that those who once advocated for the election are now opposed to it.
Gbara stated, “No court ruling can halt an electoral process. If there are issues, they should seek legal recourse after the election is conducted.” He emphasized that the push for local government elections was part of President Bola Tinubu’s peace initiatives and criticized Wike’s change in stance.
He added that the Supreme Court has mandated elected local government chairmen, highlighting Fubara’s adherence to this ruling. Gbara praised Fubara as a hero for his commitment to democracy in Rivers State, stating that the people have chosen to support him despite attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
