By Florence Uwaeme
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, has claimed the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, is still overseeing the affairs of the State.
Eze said Wike appointed commissioners, aides for his successor, Siminialayi Fubara and receives visitors on behalf of the state government.
In a statement on Monday, Eze described Fubara as a confirmed stooge and mere ceremonial head without a compass.
According to him “the current situation in Rivers State, where core decisions and critical business of governance are transacted by Wike, a former Governor and power monger, properly pictures the result of a flawed electoral process where a desperate boss tramples on peoples’ rights and violates the rules of democracy and elections to install his minion to idly sit as Governor in a ceremonial capacity to pave the way for him to continue to oversee, dominate and access public funds as he wills and without interference”
The statement read in parts: “Siminialayi Fubara must be alarmed that he remains responsible and accountable for every action taken on behalf of the State from May 29, 2023, when he assumed office, until such a time when the courts will abrogate his illegitimate reign. Whether such actions were taken by him or his overlord, Wike, is immaterial.
“It is public knowledge that Wike has reappointed some Commissioners who worked under him to continue with Sim Fubara, a protege with no mind. Mr Tammy Danagogo, who served as Secretary to Government (SSG) under Wike’s eight-year miserable rule, was also returned and sworn in as SSG. At the same time, Emeke Woke, Wike’s Chief of Staff, was demoted to a Commissioner, all on the orders of Wike. Fubara’s aides, including his Assistants, were all appointed by Wike.
“As it is, no financial transaction takes place in the government without Wike’s knowledge and approval. Former Governor Wike still decides how much should go to each local government from the State’s federal allocation. Aside from sharing the monthly security vote with Fubara, Wike chooses how much the temporary Governor gets in a month.
“Unfortunately, Sim Fubara has been caged by the unwilling reappointment of most critical actors in Wike’s eight-year misrule, particularly the appointment of Chief Wike’s relative, Chief Chidi Amadi, a former Obio-Akpor Local Government PDP Chairman as Chief of Staff which is a clear pointer that the former Governor has cunningly succeeded in entrapping the political fortunes of the Ijaws of Rivers State by indirectly retaining the governance of the State after many years the position was left in the hands of the Ikwerres through Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (8Years) and Chief Nyesom Wike (8Years)
“The Opobo people and the entire Ijaw nation missed the opportunity to govern Rivers State through Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside because of Chief Nyesom Wike’s political antics when Amaechi resolved that power should shift to the Riverine area of the State. Unfortunately, the Ijaws and the entire Riverine Area are only being fooled by the installation of Sim. This mere stooge bears the name of Governor without the boldness to exercise the relevant powers of the office.
“With the current situation, the State-owned aircraft have been left exclusively for Wike while the Governor, Sim Fubara, uses chattered aircraft for official engagements. Just last week, Wike travelled with the Rivers state jet, whereas Sim used Chattered Jet the same previous week for abroad. Reports revealed that Gov. Fubara used Lufthansa Commercial flight, a chattered flight, from Port Harcourt to Frankfurt (Germany)”
