Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike before the Rivers crisis spirals out of control.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Bode George called on President Tinubu to take decisive actions against the FCT Minister before the state dissolves into chaos caused by Wike’s ‘inflammatory and dangerous remarks’ George accused Wike of trivializing Tinubu’s peace efforts and embarrassing the president with his public outbursts.
“Wike’s Words Are Dangerous”—George Warns
George did not mince words in his criticism of Wike’s recent media statements, describing them as “inflammatory, dangerous, and embarrassing.” He stressed that Rivers State is too important to Nigeria’s economy to be plunged into chaos due to political infighting.
“If a crisis erupts, it will affect everyone, not just Wike,” he warned.
He questioned why President Tinubu had allowed a serving minister to create such instability, urging him to take decisive action before things spiral out of control.
“You Didn’t Make Fubara—You Were Made Too”
One of George’s sharpest rebukes came in response to Wike’s claim that he “made” Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. George reminded Wike that he, too, was helped along the way in his political career.
“Did no one help him become governor in 2015? He didn’t fall from the sky,” George said, listing Wike’s past political appointments—council chairman, chief of staff, minister, and governor—all positions he attained with the backing of others.
“Is Wike the Commander-in-Chief?”
George also took issue with Wike’s overreach in Rivers politics, questioning his authority.
“Is Wike the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, or the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly?” he asked.
He warned that Wike’s constant power plays were creating confusion about who is truly in charge—President Tinubu or Wike himself.
Time for Tinubu to Step In
George urged Tinubu to act swiftly, recalling how the president quickly intervened in the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis.
“This is the time for him to invite Governor Fubara and Rivers lawmakers for a meeting,” he advised, emphasizing that the situation requires presidential leadership.
He also slammed Wike’s unverified claims that Fubara was defrauded into paying bribes for a Supreme Court judgment, demanding proof and accusing the minister of using a live broadcast to assert dominance.
Lessons from History: “I Fought in the Civil War”
Drawing from Nigeria’s turbulent past, George warned of the dangers of political instability.
“I fought in the civil war. I know what war means,” he stated, recalling the horrors of the conflict and how political crises in Nigeria’s First and Second Republics led to chaos.
He called on Wike’s wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, to counsel her husband, reminding her that silence from Rivers people does not mean they are unaware or powerless.
“During the civil war, I saw what happened between Bonny and Port Harcourt. Wike should be careful,” he cautioned.
George also recommended that Wike read a recent article by Professor Chidi Odinkalu to gain a better understanding of the unfolding crisis.
Conclusion: A Crisis Waiting to Happen?
The power struggle in Rivers State is more than just political drama—it has serious implications for stability, governance, and Nigeria’s economic interests. George’s urgent call for President Tinubu to step in highlights the potential dangers if tensions continue to escalate unchecked.
Will Tinubu take decisive action to prevent a full-blown crisis? Or will Wike’s unchecked influence continue to fuel unrest in Rivers State? One thing is clear: history has shown that political conflicts, if ignored, can have devastating consequences.
As George ominously put it: “A word is enough for the wise. Enough is enough.”
