Fubara vs. Wike: Sagay Warns Wike Against Holding Both Ministerial and Governorship Roles

Fubara vs. Wike: Sagay Warns Wike Against Holding Both Ministerial and Governorship Roles

Professor Itse Sagay has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to end his ongoing political opposition to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Sagay warned that the feud was undermining effective governance in the state…….READ MORE

In an interview with Saturday Telegraph, Sagay criticized Wike for trying to maintain control over Rivers State while serving as a minister. He pointed out that, when Wike was governor, he never faced such interference.

The ongoing conflict between Wike and Fubara has led to a divided House of Assembly, prompting the Supreme Court to intervene and restore order. As part of this, Governor Fubara dismissed local government chairmen and councillors elected in the October elections. He also requested a meeting with the House of Assembly to address the political divisions. However, lawmakers recently locked the Assembly gates to prevent him from presenting the 2025 state budget.

Despite a ruling from the Supreme Court that favored Wike’s faction, Sagay expressed concern over the political struggle and its negative impact on governance in Rivers State. He emphasized that the crisis had distracted Governor Fubara, preventing him from delivering on his duties.

Sagay urged all parties involved to seek peace in the interest of the state’s progress. He also reminded Wike that it is not legally permissible for him to serve simultaneously as both a minister and the de facto governor of Rivers State.

Regarding concerns over the absence of the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, and its potential impact on an impeachment process, Sagay clarified that the law allows an acting chief judge to step in whenever the substantive chief judge is unavailable.