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IT IS NOT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IF FUBARA IS IMPEACHED – WIKE, GIVES CONDITION FOR PEACE IN RIVERS
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has said it is not “a criminal offence” if the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.
Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike said Fubara should be impeached if he has done what warrants impeachment.
He also expressed frustration over the political crisis in Rivers State, emphasising the importance of upholding the rule of law.
The minister also criticised those in the governor’s inner circle.
“Politics is not play,” Wike said.
“If he has done something to be impeached, let them impeach him. It’s not a criminal offence.”
This comes after the Rivers Assembly led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, gave Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to represent the 2025 budget.
Amaewhule’s ultimatum came after the Supreme Court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, ordered the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume functions immediately.
Meanwhile, Wike said that for peace to return in the state, the governor must do the right thing.
According to him, Fubara must represent the 2025 budget to the State Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule, and also resubmit the names of his commissioners for clearance.
He said that there is no way Fubara will have peace without doing the right thing.
“What is peace? What is important is, let the right thing be done. When the right things are done, there will be peace.
“But if the right thing is not done, how would you say you want peace? Peace is predicated on doing the right thing.
“Go and re-present the budget, go and submit the list of the commissioners. You cannot do illegality,” Wike said.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Wike narrated how he picked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the position despite some politicians of Ijaw extraction kicking against the decision.
He also said that Ijaws are minority in Rivers State and the Niger Delta, and stand no chance of becoming governors in any other state in the region apart from Bayelsa.
