The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has said that he has made peace with the Governor of Rivers State, Siminilayi Fubara.
TheHintsNews reports that Wike and Fubara were involved in a political war that led to the declaration of a State of emergency in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu.
However, the President on Wednesday announced an end to the emergency rule in the state, which paved the way for the governor and members of the state Assembly to return.
But, Wike while featuring on Channels TV on Thursday said he had forgiven Fubara and promised to work with him and support his government.
He stated: “As I speak to you, peace has returned. I spoke with the governor yesterday (Wednesday) and I told him I was leaving that night to come back (to Abuja) , and he told me he was leaving this morning. So I can tell you, we believe, by the grace of God, peace has come. And look at what the Assembly did today (yesterday). Look, we are prepared for the interest of the state. Let’s move forward.
“The only thing I can say, there are people who are natural crisis breeders, who think that they can only benefit when there’s a crisis. For example, if we didn’t want the state of emergency to be lifted, we would have done one or two things to make sure that the state of emergency continues. But no! for the interest of the state…
“I have been discussing with the governor, we have been talking from time to time, and he has assured me. We can’t go back now. This is what we told Mr. President, and Mr. President has taken enough time, energy to say he wants the state to be stabilised.”
When asked if he has forgiven Fubara, Wike said he can’t speak to a man he has not forgiven, adding that he now speaks with the governor from time to time.
He added: “I told you we have been talking. I’m not a politician that says one thing here and does different things tomorrow.”
The former governor insisted that the local government election was not conducted in haste, despite the fact that it was conducted just a few weeks before the expiration of the emergency rule.
He explained that the Rivers State Electoral Commission had given notice of election in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement.
Wike said he had told former Vice President Atiku Abubakar severally that if it has to do with customs, he agreed he has knowledge about it but he has no knowledge about law.
He pointed out that Atiku was the Vice President when the former Governor of Plateau was suspended and ditto when a state of emergency was declared in Ekiti state.
“What did he do? I don’t like when people take advantage of situation… you were there, why not have come out to say, no, this is wrong, Mr. President, this is wrong. He didn’t say so, and you were the vice president, a party to that government. He didn’t say anything.”