The recent rift between Governor Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has sparked a secessionist struggle in the region. Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party, has commended Governor Fubara for allegedly aligning with ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.
Chief Eze cautioned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister to refrain from his alleged custom of unbridled and overbearing indulgence targeted at resisting his sense of entitlement and lordship over the public and private lives and concerns of others.
The commendation comes in light of the impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Fubara by some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Sunday. Eze believes that Wike’s actions stem from Fubara’s embrace of the people-oriented programs initiated by Amaechi for the development of the state.
Fubara has also been subjected to attempts by Wike to exclude him from political engagements and decisions within and outside the state. This includes being cautioned against attending political meetings in Abuja, including the PDP-Governors Forum where he holds the position of Vice Chair.
Despite these challenges, Edison Ehie, the Leader of the State House of Assembly, rejected the bid to impeach Governor Fubara, as he hasn’t committed any impeachable offense. However, Ehie was subsequently removed as the majority leader and replaced by the newly-elected Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Chief Eze appealed to the people of Rivers State to show their support for Governor Fubara and save the state from the hands of what he calls a “very unprincipled emperor” who believes he has conquered the state and its people.
“Rivers State is too sophisticated to be enslaved by an individual like Nyesom Wike,” Eze stated. “The attempt to impeach the governor for wanting to revive many of Amaechi’s visionary projects, such as the Songhai and the Greater Port Harcourt, aimed at making the state self-sufficient and empowering its youths, is both sad and unfortunate.”
Chief Eze also warned Wike against using five lawmakers to commence impeachment threats, as he did against Amaechi in July 2013, stating that this time his plot against Fubara will fail abysmally.
“Rivers State is not Wike’s personal property for him to decide its destiny,” Eze emphasized.
Furthermore, Chief Eze called on the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to familiarize themselves with the impeachment process for a governor. He urged Governor Fubara to continue fighting and ensure he breaks free from the servitude to which he has been subjected by the FCT Minister.
