Ongoing Conflict in Rivers State a Divine Response to People’s Wailing, Says APC Chieftain
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has shed light on the ongoing conflict between the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara, and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
According to Chief Eze, this tumultuous situation is a divine response to the grievances of the people of Rivers State.
Eze firmly asserted that the people have been suffering under the heavy-handed rule of the ex-Governor Wike, who has been accused of annexing the state and its resources as part of his private enterprises.
The APC chieftain commended Governor Fubara for heeding the advice of responsible leaders and stakeholders within the state to break free from the influence of Nyesom Wike, whom he labeled a power-monger with a history of non-development during his tenure as governor.
In a statement released to the media, Chief Eze condemned Wike’s eight-year reign, characterizing it as a period marked by a lack of clear fiscal policies and governed at the discretion of a ruthless leader who relied on fear and intimidation to maintain control.
Eze went on to describe the Wike era as a dark chapter in the history of Rivers State, marked by undemocratic tactics that stifled political opposition and undermined the rights of opposition leaders. He noted that the administration failed to attract foreign investment and disregarded the policies initiated by the preceding administration of Chief Rotimi Amaechi, leading to the misery of pensioners and unpaid salaries for civil servants.
Eze further criticized Wike for monopolizing the distribution of electoral forms for the 2023 general elections, alleging that this was a strategy to ensure the loyalty of public officeholders to him rather than the people they were elected to serve.
The APC chieftain warned Governor Fubara against retreating from the conflict, emphasizing that such a move would align him with Wike and further oppress the masses. Eze advised Fubara to watch the film “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” to understand the nature of his adversaries.
Regarding the support of PDP elders for Wike, Eze urged them to advise the governor as elders, without partiality.
Eze dismissed Wike’s accusations that Fubara was associating with political enemies, emphasizing that these enemies were also from Rivers State.
He stated that Wike’s threats to maintain control over the state’s political structure displayed his ignorance of governance and the limits of his power as an incumbent governor. He warned that Wike’s involvement in such a political struggle could lead to the end of his political career.
Chief Eze urged the people of Rivers State to decide whether one individual could determine the fate of the state or if it was time to challenge Nyesom Wike’s authority.
