Politics
‘I Made Fubara Governor, Not Working With Odili’ – Wike Reveals
Published
1 day ago
on
April 2, 2024
L-R: Nyesom Wike – Siminalayi Fubara
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he made Sim Fubara Rivers State governor.
Wike stated this on Tuesday during a media chat with some select journalists in Abuja.
The ex-Rivers State Governor addressed issues surrounding the political crisis in the state since he fell out with his successor, Fubara.
The governor had accused him of “controlling” him in the election of aides, budget making and how to rule the state.
The minister responded by saying the governor did not honour the agreement they entered into before he emerged governor in 2023.
The minister’s loyalists in the state assembly moved against the governor, leading to several moves to oust him from office.
But Wike said he made him governor, as he had stated on several occasions even vowing that time will tell who controls the state.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said “I put him (Fubara) there too.
The former Rivers State Governor also revealed that, “I and Dr Peter Odili (former Rivers Governor) are not working together again.”
Odili and wife, Mary are reportedly strong supporters of the incumbent governor.
But the minister said their differences are “not personal”, adding Odili and others “plotted against me.”
He said,
“They planned what they will do to me when Atiku Abubakar wins the presidential election” of 2023.
“When asked if he still sees Odili as his leader, Wike answered, “why not?”
When he was further asked why he can’t forgive Fubara, he replied, “Am I the lawmaker?
He challenged the governor to “comply with the law, and I don’t have a problem.”
When challenged why he can not concentrate on his job as FCT minister, he responded by saying, “leave Rivers State; am I from where? Am I from Abuja? I should not oil my political machinery. Control where?”
He referenced what’s happening in Akwa Ibom State saying, “Akwa Ibom governor, did he not take every member of Udom’s (Emmanuel) cabinet?
“People are terrible! The whole cabinet supported you, the best is to take 20%, 50%. What’s wrong with that?
“Is that control? Solve your problem,” he challenged Fubara.
He explained that, “I, as a minister, have a good relationship with the National Assembly because I need them.”
The chairman, Senate Committee on Labour Employment and Productivity and Vice Chairman, Committee on Federal Character, Senator Diket Plang, has dispelled the insinuation that there was a plot to impeach the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
As reported by The Nigerian Tribune, Plang, said there was no one thinking along that line. He pointed out that there were variables for his election as the Senate President.
The lawmaker added that he was not just elected without special considerations that reflect the yearning and peculiarities of Nigerians.
Senator Plang told newsmen in Jos, Plateau state capital that every political position at the national level was carried out to reflect the geopolitical zones in the country. Presidency won’t allow Akpabio’s removal He further explained that no part of the country is short-changed in the scheme of things, adding that the belief in certain quarters that the Northern Senators were not at home with the Senate President was wrong and misleading.
He explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led government will not allow Akpabio to be impeached. Plang stated thus: “When there are issues, you raise them for a rethink and future correction. Nobody will remove the Senate President; he is stable. We elected him, and there are variables for that election.
The North West has the deputy Senate President, the North East has the Vice President, the North Central has the SGF, and the South has the Senate President.
“These balances are there for stability; if everybody is involved, there will be trust, and people will work harder. I just want to assure you that the 10th Senate is a people’s senate and a focus senate.
The Senate is willing to work with the executive for the purpose of moving the nation forward.
“Luckily, we have executives who know the workings of legislators; the President was a former senator, and his wife was a former senator, a vibrant one, for that matter.
The Vice President was a senator, and the Chief of Staff was also a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. The SGF was also a Senator, so when we are shouting, they should know what we mean. So, there should be synergy and understanding.”
Meanwhile the call for Akpabio’s sack was further heightened in March 2024 following the suspension of the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi, over the 2024 budget padding allegation.
Politics
Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, says the Deputy Speaker of Reps, Kalu.
Published
2 days ago
on
April 2, 2024
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has revealed that there are ongoing efforts to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
He said while legal processes are underway, concerted political solutions are being pursued behind the scenes to ensure the release of Kanu.
Addressing the issue during a special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate,” a radio program on FLO FM in Umuahia, Abia State, Kalu said a deliberate approach was being taken to achieve the objective.
He clarified that the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative he recently launched to address security challenges in the region through non-kinetic measures, remains committed to reconciliation, including involving Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda.
His words: “The PISE-P has reconciliation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognize the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth. And I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it.
“I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place, and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace.
“But we may not advance all the things we are doing back, but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence. I don’t know about the next person but I am talking about Benjamin Okezie Kalu. I am not sitting on the fence about it. I am lobbying.
“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government.
“The last time I was with Mr. President, I discussed with Mr. President on the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit and engage with him. And I know that one of the topics that will come up there is this our brother.
“We will also thank him for all the good things, the appointments he has been giving to Igbo people. So, while the court is doing what they are doing, I will not truncate legal processes, but some of us are not afraid to identify with him and to ask for him to be released.
“Any other thing can follow up after that. So, that is what is going on at the moment, and those who are close to him will assure you we are working closely on this mandate. Is it achievable? The answer is yes.
“And I am happy with the statement that he made the last time he was in court. He said all those who are causing violence are not IPOB people, that anybody who is using his name to be causing violence is a hater of Ndi Igbo.
“Look, Igbos are not known for violence. We are known for trade, being creative. Call it Nollywood; we are the engine room that started the creative industry. We are not thieves, not known for violence. We put our energy towards creating wealth.
“We are not life killers, and anybody coming now to introduce what is strange to us, it’s either the person is not an Igbo man, or we should question where he is coming from.”
