The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he has no plans to influence the selection of commissioners or other appointees in Rivers State as Governor Siminalayi Fubara prepares to return to office following six months of emergency rule.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday, Wike dismissed speculations suggesting that he intends to dictate the composition of Fubara’s cabinet or interfere in the state’s governance.
“I cannot go and impose anything on the governor. Why would I impose anything on the governor?” Wike said. “Even if I go to him and say, ‘I want this,’ will the state collapse? I will not (suggest commissioners for the governor). I have no candidate, and I will not.”
The former Rivers governor explained that his only interest is for Fubara to continue the developmental strides already made in the state. According to him, even if Fubara sought his input, he would simply encourage him to lead independently.
“Even if the governor comes to me now and says, ‘we have agreed we want to work together,’ which is natural, I will say, ‘look, I give you a free hand; you know how you want to run the state,’” Wike stated. “All I would want to add is this: I know what I did and what I put in place to keep the state at this level, don’t let it drop—move ahead. As I speak to you, I left Rivers State at a point where it can compete favourably with Lagos.”
Governor Fubara, who was suspended in March following a prolonged dispute with Wike, was widely expected to resume official duties on Thursday. However, he did not appear at the Government House, leaving his supporters—who had gathered in anticipation—disappointed and dispersed.
Reacting to this, Wike clarified that there is no constitutional requirement compelling the governor to resume work on a specific date.
“There is no law that says he must resume work today. He is the governor. I don’t understand the way we operate,” he added.
