The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his recent criticisms regarding the local government elections in the state. Wike, during an interview on Channels TV, accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of being the cause of the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, particularly criticizing Fubara’s decision to proceed with the elections despite a court ruling against it. He expressed concern that ignoring court verdicts could lead to anarchy.
In response, Sydney Gbara, the PDP publicity secretary in Rivers State, expressed disappointment at Wike’s change of stance, stating that those who once advocated for the election are now opposing it. Gbara asserted that Fubara did nothing wrong by conducting the elections and encouraged those unhappy with the results to seek legal recourse.
Gbara emphasized that no court ruling can halt an electoral process and pointed out that the decision to conduct the local government elections aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 peace proclamation, which included conducting elections in various states. He recalled that Wike and his supporters had previously urged the state assembly to ensure elections were held, even threatening impeachment if Fubara failed to comply.
He stated, “This is where the conversation should start from and not whether there was a court judgment or not.” Gbara argued that Governor Fubara’s actions are in line with the Supreme Court’s directive to ensure that every state has elected local government chairmen, adding that Fubara is upholding democracy in Rivers State.
He also condemned the violence that had occurred during the electoral process, highlighting that some individuals resorted to extreme measures to disrupt it. “The truth is that they came late because Rivers people have decided to move on with Fubara,” he concluded, reinforcing Fubara’s position as a champion of democracy in the state.
