The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his commitment to allowing the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, to perform its constitutional duties without interference.
Speaking at a civic reception in his honor at Abalama Town in the Kalabari Kingdom, organized by NEW Associates, Wike—who previously served as the governor of Rivers State—blamed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, for instigating the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Addressing a large gathering at the event, Wike dismissed concerns that he would be deterred from attending due to political threats, emphasizing that the opposition was merely engaging in “radio noise.”
“I heard some people say I wouldn’t come here. Who are they, and how many are they? What you’ve done today shows the world that all the noise on the radio is not the reality. If you are from Kalabari and the Ijaw nation and you are receiving me today, God will continue to bless you. I will always stand by you and support you,” Wike declared.
Denying allegations that he referred to the Ijaw people as a minority in Rivers State, Wike insisted that his comments were misrepresented.
“Some people have deliberately misinterpreted my interview. However they choose to twist it is their business. I simply said we all worked together, and without unity, it would have been difficult to produce the governor. Chief Alabraba did not allow me to rest during the decision-making process; he nearly fainted when we were choosing the candidate.”
He further alleged that the current administration, under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, withheld the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year based on poor advice from close associates.
“They told you to seize the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year, leaving them without income to feed their families or pay school fees. You were jubilating, and people encouraged you, assuring you that nothing would happen.
“Now, something has happened. I am not going to stop the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to do its job. People who love peace do not threaten others,” Wike added.
Wike specifically called out SSG Tammy Danagogo, alleging that he played a key role in the legal maneuvers that deepened the state’s political crisis.
“The problem started when Danagogo, the Secretary to the government, used his elder brother, who is a justice, to issue an ex parte order falsely declaring that 27 members of the Rivers Assembly had defected. He also used the same order to say that the governor could present the budget to just three or four lawmakers.”
Wike accused Danagogo of harboring personal ambitions for the governorship, stating that his resentment over not securing the ticket led him to influence the governor negatively.
“Look at Danagogo, who wanted to be governor. He was so pained that he was not given the ticket; he was the one following the governor, and Fubara did not know. He will lead you to hellfire.”
Wike also criticized the governor’s inner circle, arguing that they were misleading him for their own political gain.
“You surrounded yourself with people who wanted to be governor, whom I said ‘no’ to because they don’t mean well for Rivers State. They are the ones giving you advice. Do you think you will succeed? They will give bad advice, and look at what bad advice is doing to you. You are already down 2-0, and there’s more to come. They come there and abuse me, and you are happy; you don’t know it is you they want to destroy.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the event, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, commended Wike for his political acumen and unwavering support for the Ijaw people.
“Wike has worked to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State by following the dispute up to the Supreme Court. We pray that peace will return to the state through this process.
“We will continue to support you at all times and uphold collaboration as a powerful force for advancing the interests of all parts of the state. Your contributions to Kalabari land will remain indelible for generations to come,” Alabraba stated.
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