Tensions have heightened in Rivers State amid the face off between the camps of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In this latest development, Bright Amaewhule, a staunch supporter of Wike, delivered a stern warning to Governor Fubara during the inauguration of the Nyesom Wike International Market in Omagwa. Amaewhule accused Fubara and his allies of persistently disrespecting Wike, even during events celebrating Fubara’s Supreme Court victory.
This recent confrontation seems to have ruptured the peace accord brokered by President Bola Tinubu in October 2023, which aimed to resolve the differences between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
Wike, expressing his disappointment during a media interaction in Abuja on April 2, dismissed any possibility of reconciling with Fubara in the foreseeable future.
In response, Fubara, on April 3, broke his silence, issuing an indirect threat against his critics and promising surprising consequences for those pressuring him to strictly adhere to presidential directives.
This political rift threatens to exacerbate the division within the state’s governance, underscoring the intricate tussle between the current Governor and his godfather, now turned political adversary.
Amaewhule, a strong loyalist to Wike, spoke out on Friday, stating, “You have been insulting your boss, the immediate governor of Rivers State. You have given him names and allowed riff-raffs to insult him on different occasions in your so-called thanksgiving for your Supreme Court victory.”
He further emphasized that the Supreme Court victory was not solely Fubara’s but belonged to all Rivers people, including those who worked tirelessly to secure his governorship position.
“That Supreme Court victory is not only for you. The Supreme Court victory is for Rivers people. We all worked for you and the PDP for you to be where you are today,” Amaewhule asserted.
Warning of potential repercussions if the insults towards Wike and President Bola Tinubu persist, Amaewhule declared, “If you don’t stop, if you don’t stop, we will come after you. We are not afraid. We are not afraid. That Government House does not only belong to you, it belongs to Rivers people.”
The GDI spokesperson also reminded Fubara of Wike’s instrumental role in his rise to power, stating, “All of us fought for you to be there, and Wike fought for you to be there. So if you want to continue to insult Wike, be prepared, you will run. You will run.”
Further critiquing Fubara’s background, Amaewhule claimed he was merely a civil servant without the political experience and sacrifices made by others.
“You’re just a civil servant, you’re not a politician. You have not paid any price that we have paid in the past,” he asserted.
Amaewhule concluded by stating, “From tomorrow, we will be observing your supporters, we will be observing your followers. Any further attempts to insult the president of Nigeria, to insult our grand patron, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, then be ready for war, and you will pay the price.”