An advocate for restructuring, Akin Fapohunda, has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, believes he “owns” Rivers State and operates with the backing of federal power.
Fapohunda made the assertion on Sunday while responding to questions during an interview on Arise Television, amid escalating political tensions in Rivers State following impeachment proceedings initiated by the House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to Fapohunda, the crisis is rooted in an attempt to dominate the state’s political structure.
He said, “The real issue in Rivers State is that Nyesom Wike believes he owns the state and is under the control of the federal government.
“He thinks he can do anything and get away with it.”
The restructuring advocate argued that history does not support the use of federal might to impose political outcomes at the state level.
“Going by history, federal power did not succeed in the western region; it is very unlikely that Wike will succeed either,” Fapohunda stated.
Fapohunda further maintained that Governor Fubara remains the legitimate leader of the ruling party in Rivers State, describing the ongoing pressure as political brinkmanship.
He said, “Governor Fubara is the leader of the party in Rivers.
“Wike and his group are making threats in an attempt to extract promises that will likely amount to nothing.”