The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara would not be a criminal offense if he is found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Wike made this statement during a live media chat on Wednesday while addressing the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. He noted that politics should be taken seriously and that there is nothing illegal about removing a governor through proper constitutional means.
“Politics is not play. If he has done something to be impeached, let them impeach him. It’s not a criminal offence,” Wike said.
The crisis in Rivers State has been escalating since the Supreme Court ruled in favor of 27 lawmakers who are loyal to Wike. The court also nullified the local government elections held in the state in October 2024.
During the interview, Wike expressed concern over the current state of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He criticized a situation where only “three lawmakers” were making legislative decisions, referring to the members loyal to Governor Fubara.
“I cannot believe that in this country, we are now at the point where Nigerians are talking about where three members of the House will sit and make a law, and they are talking about going to the Supreme Court. Do we need to go to work?” Wike stated.
He also noted that elected officials should be treated with respect and not as subordinates, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with lawmakers.
“Speakers and Assembly members are not our children; they were elected; they are not your boys or your girls. You sit with them and play with them. I travelled with my Speakers, and I created relationships. It’s not a master-servant thing,” he said.
Wike also recalled an incident involving an elder statesman, Ferdinand Alabararba, who supported the emergence of an Ijaw governor but later felt betrayed.
“This elder statesman cried; he almost cried. This boy later insulted this elder statesman; now he can’t go back to him for help. Ordinarily, these are the people who will call the family people. Forget about me,” Wike added.
