Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has called on the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to “surrender” the state and accept that he is no longer the governor. Akande made this statement during the “My Take” segment of Channels Television’s Inside Sources on Sunday, where he reviewed the political tensions between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He also raised questions about the role of the Nigerian police.
“One undeniable duty of a leader is to lift people up. All our elected and appointed leaders owe it to us as a people,” Akande said. “But in Rivers State, what we’re seeing instead is the assault, insult, and absurdities of godfathers fighting their godsons. This is one of the blockages preventing the emergence of a truly people-based political process.”
Akande noted that Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), needs to step back from actively meddling in Rivers State politics. He described the ongoing clashes between Wike and Fubara as detrimental to the state, particularly in light of recent violence and destruction of public property.
Akande criticized Wike’s protracted dispute with Governor Fubara, saying it has contributed to escalating violence in the state. “The immediate past Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike, is locking horns with his self-appointed heir to the extent that both of them have to convince us they’re not part of the violence that has erupted in Rivers lately. We’ve seen public buildings destroyed and lives lost. Who does that? Why is that acceptable?” Akande questioned.
He went further to criticize both leaders for their roles in the dispute. “Wike, known as ‘Mr. Project,’ is not displaying the calm and collected demeanor expected of a political gladiator. Meanwhile, Fubara is positioning himself as a public brawler” rather than a reconciliatory leader.
He argued that neither of them is lifting the people of Rivers up in these circumstances.
Akande urged Wike to recognize that his time as governor is over and to heed his own past advice in similar situations, playing a tape where as Governor, Wike called out on his predecessor for pulling Rivers State down.
“Wike should surrender practically and accept that he’s no longer the governor of Rivers State. The people should confront him with his own words from the past. He should take his own advice.”
Turning his attention to Governor Fubara, Akande advised him to adopt a more reconciliatory approach. “Fubara needs to rally the different arms of the state government and bring the people together to enhance service delivery in Rivers. He should make peace with Wike, as the ongoing conflict benefits no one.”
Akande also expressed concerns about the role of the police in the escalating situation.
“Our police should stop giving us the impression that they’re doing Wike’s bidding. How could they accept a ruling that says they cannot perform their constitutional duty? The police should have appealed such an order. It’s troubling that the burning of local government offices occurred after the police left the scene.”
He suggested that Wike’s perceived influence is tolerated by the federal government due to his strategic value in weakening the opposition. “The only reason the Federal Government is tolerating Wike’s excesses is because he’s the ruling party’s potent tool for neutralizing the main opposition party. Opposition is essential for democracy, and our leaders must be told that if they’re not pulling people up, they’ll be seen as pulling people down.”
“If the godson saw the godfather govern for his or her own personal interest not for the people, the godson will play smart while the godfather is in charge awaiting his turn to take his own bite.
“This is what is happening in Rivers State and several other cases in our country and it is a shame.”
Akande noted further, “And tell Wike that a dog can’t be so wild that it would guard two houses at once! Focus on your job here in FCT, you can do a lot more good there!”
