The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused some close associates of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of bad counsel to him and prolonging the political disagreement in the state.
Wike made the claim on Saturday during a media chat in Port Harcourt where he named former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, Chijioke Ihunwo, Victor Oko Jumbo and activist Ankio Briggs as people he believes influenced the governor’s decisions during the crisis.
The FCT minister was reported to have said that the individuals played a role in the governor’s actions after the peace agreement was reached through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
He claimed that their advice had pulled Fubara away from commitments made during the settlement process.
Wike said the governor was the one that suffered the most in the political battle, adding that he felt pity for Fubara because of the challenges he faced all through the dispute.
He said, “I feel for Governor Siminalayi Fubara because he is the biggest loser. Governor Siminalayi Fubara was deceived by the advice given to him by Edison Ehie, Chijioke Ihunwo, Victor Oko Jumbo and Ankio Briggs.
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“The political situation in Rivers State was influenced by the wrong counsel that people around the governor gave him. The peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu was not respected because of the influence of those around the governor. No one has been hit as hard as Governor Fubara by the crisis that hit Rivers State.
The fallout between Wike and Fubara, who took over as Rivers governor from him, caused a huge political crisis in the state.
The disagreement later led to the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, with Fubara suspended from office for six months.
Although Fubara later joined the All Progressives Congress, he failed to get the party’s ticket to contest for another term.
The governor had recently declared his return to Wike’s political group following the long-running disagreement.