Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday broke his silence on the political crisis in Rivers State, saying Governor Siminalayi Fubara was not expected to purchase the All Progressives Congress governorship nomination form after allegedly agreeing to drop his second-term ambition.
Wike spoke with journalists during an inspection of major infrastructure projects across Abuja, where he also threw his support behind the emergence of House of Representatives member, Kingsley Chinda, as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State.
According to the former Rivers State governor, a political understanding brokered through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu provided that the Rivers State House of Assembly would drop its impeachment move against Fubara, while the governor would also not pursue a second term.
Wike said Fubara’s decision to first obtain the APC nomination form did not reflect political good faith.
“In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form because the agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not talk about a second tenure.
“By collecting the form first, he didn’t show signs of gentlemanship. He didn’t show that sign, and that was not expected. We thought that Mr President had been intervening severally and pleading with the legislature not to continue with impeachment,” he said.
The minister, however, said he was not surprised by Chinda’s emergence, describing him as an experienced politician with strong credentials.
“A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material. He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the executive and now in the legislature. You can hear his voice when he was a minority leader of the PDP. I’m sure that he must have been approached by the ruling All Progressives Congress to join them and then get the ticket,” Wike stated.
Wike made the remarks after inspecting several projects in the FCT, including the Renewed Hope City in Kassara, the Old Keffi Road in Dei Dei, the Airport Road to Kuje corridor handled by Arab Contractors, the Kuje to Gwagwalada first phase handled by Gilmour, and the City Gate project being executed by Julius Berger.
He said the projects were ready for inauguration and commended the contractors for the quality of work delivered.
The minister also praised First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for initiating the City Gate project, describing it as her brainchild.
“When you have a good woman who means well for the administration of the husband, I’m talking about the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, this is her brainchild,” Wike said.
He added that Julius Berger had promised to deliver the project by the end of May or the first week of June and was on course to do so.
During the inspection of the Dei Dei to Life Camp Road, Wike also addressed residents at the Kado Fish Market, urging them to support him and President Tinubu.
He said governance was about reciprocal commitment, noting that since the President had fulfilled promises to residents, they should also keep their own side of the bargain.
“This part of life is agreement, isn’t it? If you do for me, I do for you, no be so?
“Now that the President has fulfilled his own promise, you must fulfil your own promise, isn’t it so? Don’t worry, we will install streetlights here,” he said.
