…as Tinubu intervenes
Big business deals getting close to conclusion are said to have been put on hold following the sudden explosion of political crisis in Rivers State.
The crisis is alleged to evolve around failed attempts by Nysome Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territoty, to usurp the powers of incumbent governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara, who is considered Wike’s political godson.
This is as Gov Sim Fubara has pointedly identified the police officer that he said shot at him. He described the incident as an assassination attempt.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) was billed to visit River State from Tuesday, October 31, 2023, to join in the public show of solidarity that Port Harcourt is back as an investment hub.
The visit was to form part of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MAN, which would be attended by the national leadership with many investors coming to meet Gov Fubara who was expected to be present to finetune investment proposals.
Business promoters, especially in the real estate sector, had planned to conclude land deals and roll out roadshows to display that the state is safe and is back as a commercial hub.
Courts officials also remained jittery on Monday and Tuesday, with lawyers seen milling around the courts, many of which failed to sit. There is apprehension that the courts may be shut down again as the impeachment train may soon get to the Chief Judge to appoint a seven-man panel to investigate Fubara.
Often, the sitting shuts down the courts to stop the panel from being appointed.
According to a statement by Boniface Onyeadi, the governor’s Senior Special Adviser (SSA), Fubara had visited the State Assembly complex and was greeted by well-meaning Rivers youths.
The governor described as unfortunate, the attempt by some disgruntled persons to forcefully take over control of the Assembly and condemned the burning of sections of the building which he stressed was constructed with tax payers’ money.
“The truth is that, everybody who knows me knows that I am a peaceful person. I can never ever, even if I am aware that there is a plot to impeach me for whatever reason be part of such destruction.”
Gov Fubara described as null and void any illegal legislative actions that have been taken by some members who held a purported plenary session.
He said: “Let it be on record, whoever masterminded the attack at the Assembly is trying to divert attention.”
Addressing Rivers youths, Gov Fubara commended them for standing up to protect the interest of Rivers State and said he is not scared of impeachment but that such action had to be properly explained and justified.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, met with the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Tinubu met with the two politicians at the Aso Villa in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State disclosed this after the Nigeria Police Council meeting held at the Villa Tuesday.
Governor Mohammed said the President intervened in the political and security situation unfolding in Rivers State.
The meeting of the President with the two politicians who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed the impeachment proceedings launched against Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday.
The governor is accused of acts of gross misconduct unbecoming of his office.
