President Bola Tinubu has reportedly intervened in the ongoing rift between the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

According to report, Tinubu has summoned Wike for a meeting over the Rivers crisis.

A source close to the President told the aforementioned publication that the meeting would be held outside the country.

It was also gathered that Fubara flew out of the country on a private jet on Thursday with the plan of meeting Tinubu in France.

This comes amid a fresh impeachment process against Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Wike.

Speaking on the situation, the source said, “The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing, though I am aware that he has summoned him to a meeting in Dubai. You know the President is currently out of the country. Barring any last-minute change, they are expected to meet abroad. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order.”

The source described the FCT minister’s action as an affront to the President.

He maintained that if care was not taken, the move could push Ijaw youths back to the creeks.

Speaking further, the official said, “What is happening is outright disrespect to the President by Wike, and it is against national interest. One of the reasons a state of emergency was declared in Rivers in March last year was the fear of a breakdown of law and order and the attendant consequences for oil production.

“If you say you want to sack the first Ijaw man to be governor, are you not sending the Ijaw people back to the creeks? That will have attendant effects on the economy, and the President will not allow that to happen.”

A senior aide to the President stated that he was not aware of the meeting with Wike, adding that the President was currently in France and would proceed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The source noted that the FCT minister had no business in the UAE and that only an appointment with Tinubu would prompt him to travel there.

“Only Wike or his aides can say if there is any scheduled meeting between him and the President.

“When Fubara was moving to the APC, he met with the President, who approved his decision. The President also confirms that governors are the leaders of the party in their states,” the official added.

Credit Punch