Chief Bode George has made a strong appeal to President Bola Tinubu, asking him to take action against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. In his statement, Bode George accused Wike of interfering in the affairs of Rivers State and asked the President to call him to order.

Bode George highlighted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State needs space to govern without interference. He believes Wike’s actions are disrupting the governor’s ability to focus on delivering important projects and benefits to the people of Rivers State.

According to Bode George, Wike’s interference could harm the progress of the state and hinder Governor Fubara’s efforts to bring real improvements to the lives of the people. He urged President Tinubu to step in and ensure that Wike allows Governor Fubara to carry out his responsibilities without any obstruction.

The message from Bode George is clear: Nyesom Wike should step back and let Governor Fubara work for the people of Rivers State, without political distractions or interference.

George said: “Now that people of Rivers State have boldly asserted their  civic and constitutional rights by coming out  to vote in the

“Local Government election on Saturday,  this is the time for former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara work and deliver dividend of democracy to the people.

“This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.

“I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser.

“All lovers of democracy will agree with me that political happenings in this oil-bearing state in the last few months, if allowed to continue, can lead to a re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct Western Region between 1962 and 1966 which eventually led to the first military coup of January 15, 1966. Many of our national figures were killed and events of that day led to a second coup on July 29, 1966 when scores of military officers were killed.

“Since history is no longer taught in our schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January and July 1966 killings eventually led to the civil war between July 6, 1967 and January 15, 1970. Close to two million Nigerians died in the war.

“I am raising this alarm because what is happening in Rivers now  is a cause for serious concern for everyone. 

“My understanding of this man-made crisis is that there is a despotic, divisive, wicked and anti-people design to create a conflagration which may eventually consume our country.

“We all know the economic importance of Rivers to the survival of this nation. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta.

The PDP leader also stressed that any disruption to peace in Rivers State could have serious security consequences, not just for Nigeria, but for West Africa and the African continent as a whole.

He noted that while it’s natural to have political ambitions and aim to dominate in a political setting, these ambitions should not conflict with the needs and expectations of the people.

“Some have said what is happening can be traced to  2027 elections’ calculations. I believe it is too early to start strategising for a partisan event which is still close to 28 months away. 

“One thing is clear: Nyesom Wike was governor of the state for eight years. He left the Government House in May last year and today, he is the FCT Minister. Sir Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi were governors before him. Now that Governor Fubara is the Chief Executive of the state, he should be allowed to work. Nobody stays in office forever.

“By 2027, people of Rivers State will decide, through their votes, if they want him to return to office or not.”This is how political issues and ambitions are handled in civilised climes.

“The way this partisan crisis is going, if not checked, may collapse our democracy.

“Now that council chairmen and councillors have been elected, I appeal to Nyesom Wike  to please give peace a chance.

“Tinubu must also call Wike and tell him to allow the governor to work.”