ABUJA, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly expressed his backing for President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, defending the president’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly.
In remarks made during a media parley with select journalists in Abuja on Friday, April 18, 2025, Wike, who is a former governor of Rivers, said while he was not initially happy with the declaration of emergency rule, the decision was necessary to prevent further political unrest and possible anarchy in the state.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state,” Wike stated.
He went on to argue that Fubara’s removal was inevitable and, in his view, the president’s actions were instrumental in averting chaos.
Wike said, “The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him. Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
The controversy surrounding the political crisis in Rivers State escalated after the Supreme Court intervened in February, calling for the resumption of the state House of Assembly, which had been locked in a standoff over budget issues and moves to impeach the governor.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop releasing funds to the Rivers government, citing the governor’s disregard for court orders.
In response to the ongoing turmoil, President Tinubu stepped in, suspending Fubara and the state legislature, and declaring a state of emergency.
He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator for the state, a move that Wike praised as critical in stabilizing Rivers.
Wike’s comments come as Tinubu’s decision continues to generate mixed reactions, but the FCT Minister emphasized that the intervention was vital for preserving peace and stability in the oil-rich state.
“Mr president came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” Wike concluded.
