PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to maintain aloofness in the crisis rocking Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President told the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and others that he will not take sides in the ongoing crisis rocking the state.
Chief Ngelale said that anyone with the belief that President Tinubu would take their side in the political crisis would be disappointed.
The Special Adviser made the President’s position known during an interview on TVC, insisting that Tinubu won’t allow any attempt to frustrate the Rivers government.
“I believe that anyone who believes that by their actions, whether it’s from the federal level, state level or the legislative branch in the state or the executive branch in the state. If they are banking on Mr President to take sides on this matter, they’re mistaken and they’ll be disappointed,” he said.
“Mr President will not do that. What he will do is to ensure that everybody has what they need in order to work.
“He will also ensure that any attempt to frustrate the operation of the Rivers State government of conducting its affairs in a way that it would benefit the Rivers people, that’s obviously not going to be allowed by this President or anybody else.
“So, I think there’s a need for all stakeholders to understand that Mr President won’t take sides.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that the incumbent governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has been engaged in a political battle of supremacy with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike. This had divided the political class in the state down the middle with the state House of Assembly and local government administration becoming the pawns in the hands of the two gladiators.
Eighteen-Eleven Media also recalls that in December 2023, the President intervened in the crisis leading to the signing of an eight-point peace pact. That has obviously now collapsed
Eighteen-Eleven Media