The federal government has distanced itself from the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, his loyalists and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying the former governor’s position is not that of government at the centre.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known to newsmen after briefing on the outcomes of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House in Abuja.
According to him, the federal government knows nothing about the political crisis which has seen the FCT minister and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly at war against Governor Fubara.
On account of the crisis, 27 of the lawmakers had on Tuesday announced their defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) leading to their seats being declared vacant by the Legislature.
Asked whether the federal government shared Wike’s position on the matter as a member of the federal cabinet, the Information Minister said: “Well, he is a federal cabinet member; he is involved in the situation in the state. That cannot be a federal government position. How can it be the federal government’s position?”
Idris stressed that the federal government is keen to ensure peace and tranquility in every part of the country including Rivers, saying: “Well, the federal government is always interested in the well being of all the states, and in that direction the federal government will always align with everyone in Nigeria to make sure that there is peace and tranquility in all parts of this country.
“But you know that what has happened in Rivers is not a creation of the federal government. It is a political problem that is brewing in the state.
“Of course, the government will ensure that there is peace and stability for all Nigerians including Rivers State, but you can’t say that this is a creation of the federal government. The federal government never had any hand in creating that problem.”
Commenting on the allegation raised by Asari Dokubo, accusing President Bola TInubu of ignoring the festering crisis in Rivers State, the Minister noted that what the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force said is only advisory.
According to him: “I saw Asari Dokubo’s message. It was an advisory. He made an advisory. And when you make an advisory, you allow time to see whether the person you have given the advice will look at it again and come back to you. That does not suggest anything. That doesn’t suggest that the federal government created that problem.
It was never a creation of the federal government. It is a creation of the political situation in River State.”
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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