Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday revealed that President Bola Tinubu is not inclined to extending the emergency rule in Rivers State, stating it would not sit well with the people. Wike spoke during his monthly media briefing in Abuja where he touched on key issues, from Rivers politics to ongoing projects and policies in the FCT.
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Speaking on the scheduled August 30 local government elections in Rivers, Wike said Tinubu’s stance is to restore democratic governance at the grassroots, hence his directive that elections be conducted within 30 days.
“The President, in his wisdom to bring peace and restore democratic governance in local government, came again with another regulation in July that this election must be conducted within 30 days,” Wike stated. “Extending the emergency rule will not be palatable to the people.”
Wike defended Tinubu’s initial decision to suspend Governor Sim Fubara and impose emergency rule, saying it was necessary to enable local governments access funds and operate democratically. He emphasized that the Supreme Court ruling prohibits the appointment of caretaker committees by governors, which would have complicated administration without elections.
Wike also addressed accusations that his loyalists are likely to dominate the upcoming elections, stating: “I don’t know who has defined who my loyalists are. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. With all due respect, where you advocate law is not on television, it’s in the courtroom.”
He explained that emergency rule permitted Tinubu to suspend certain aspects of the Electoral Act 2022 to enable smooth governance in the state.
Wike defended his administration’s developmental priorities in the FCT, saying it was unrealistic to revamp all sectors within two years. He said infrastructure development was not at the expense of health and education.
“This is just two years in office; it is not possible to turn around every sector,” he noted, citing work underway at the Utako and Gwarimpa hospitals. He pledged to develop 10 schools in FCT rural areas and instructed the education secretary to initiate the scheme.
On ground rent defaulters, Wike reiterated his stance: “I’m going to seal up all those properties. You can’t deny us of the taxes we use for development.” He dismissed blackmail and political attacks, insisting that the administration had given sufficient grace period after publishing details of over 9,000 debtors.
Wike confirmed his recent meeting with Labour Party’s factional chairman, Julius Abure, but refused to disclose its purpose. “What is wrong when politicians meet each other?” he asked. When probed about potential 2027 political implications, he responded, “Why would I tell you what I’m planning for 2027? You will know when the time comes.”
Wike urged Nigerians to pray for him as he deals with powerful interests in Abuja who evade taxes. “How many poor people live in Maitama, Wuse, Garki? The rich men will hire people to talk as if they speak for the poor,” he said.
Reaffirming his political position, Wike rejected claims of being double-faced in the PDP. “From day one, I said I was not going to support Atiku. I stood for equity, fairness, and justice that it’s the South’s turn to produce the presidency in 2023.”
He vowed to remain in the PDP and not surrender it to what he described as “Buccaneers and Vampires.”
“If I had left the party, the Buccaneers and Vampires would have taken over. I will not leave the PDP until the right thing is done,” he asserted.
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