The lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, failed to attend the thanksgiving service held by governor Siminalayi Fubara to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.
The service, held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Garrison, Port Harcourt, had the governor, his associates and a few supporters in attendance.
An ally of the governor told Punch that the development and recent unfolding events “are not funny,
The official admitted he could not explain the absence of the 27 lawmakers and the local government chairmen but said it suggested that “all may not be well.”
He pointed out that Wike once suspended some local government chairmen for failing to attend an important state function.
He said, “I can’t say for sure, you know. Maybe in the coming days we will know why. But I’m not worried because it’s just like a husband-and-wife issue.
“You know, when Nyesom Wike was governor here, he suspended some local government chairmen, about three of them or so, for not showing up at an event. So how come these current ones didn’t come? What do you think would have happened to them if it was under Wike, when they didn’t even have a say of their own?”
He added, “But let’s give all of them, both the Assembly members and the local government chairmen, the benefit of the doubt and wait till October 1st, Nigeria’s Independence anniversary proper, and see what happens.”
A source close to the lawmakers said despite the public declaration of peace between the governor and Wike, the pro-Wike camp has allegedly resolved not to attend public functions with Fubara until he distances himself from the three lawmakers loyal to him and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, a former factional speaker.
The source added, “Beginning Monday, the Governor is expected to make some changes in action and in words to show he has truly reconciled with the FCT Minister.”
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