Sara-Igbe Urges Wike’s Suspension, Slams Tinubu Over Rivers Affairs

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike should be suspended by President Bola Tinubu for his involvement in the political unrest in the state, according to Rivers Elders Council member Anabs Sara-Igbe.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Sara-Igbe voiced her staunch opposition to President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
President Tinubu’s actions were contested by Sara-Igbe, who claimed that the president lacked the constitutional power to remove a democratically elected governor.

“He has no constitutional authority to suspend the governor,” Sara-Igbe questioned, raising doubts about the rationale for the action.
He expressed further dissatisfaction with the President’s handling of the matter, highlighting the inaction against Wike, whom he says is the primary cause of Rivers State’s persistent issues.

However, he has never questioned or sanctioned a minister who is responsible for the entire issue he appointed. “What keeps him from punishing the minister who is the root of the issue?” he asked.

The acrimonious rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has contributed to the political turmoil in Rivers State.

Violent altercations, legislative deadlock, and increasing violence—such as explosions and the destruction of oil pipelines—have all resulted from this struggle.

President Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday, effectively suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for a six-month initial term.

The President attributed this extreme measure mostly to the “disturbing violence” in the state.

But according to Sara-Igbe, Wike was the main cause of the issue. Wike, whom he considers to be the principal culprit, has been left unpunished, he claimed, while the President suspended elected officials.
“A minister who is the main source of all the issues cannot be suspended, but you have suspended an elected governor,” he said.

Read Also: Supreme Court Verdict: Game-Changer for Wike’s Suspension, Anyanwu’s Removal – Ugochinyere

Sara-Igbe chastised President Tinubu as well for what he saw as an unjust method of settling the dispute. “If you beat two kids who are fighting, heaven will say that you are fair,” he remarked, using an illustration. When a child isn’t the one causing trouble and insulting everyone, you can’t abuse him the entire time.

He also accused Wike of causing splits throughout the nation, pointing out that the FCT Minister had made disparaging comments about a number of ethnic groups, which fueled the nation’s escalating hostilities.

He has made fun of every region of the nation. He has called on ethnic groups to come out and cause trouble, insulting his grandfathers. However, the man you approved of is the one who is calm and obedient to you,” Sara-Igbe said.