Former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, fell out with his anointed successor, Sim Fubara because he wanted to control and micromanage the affairs of the oil-rich state.
According to an aide of the incumbent governor, the resignation of commissioners supposedly appointed by Fubara is a pointer that the governor never appointed them.
The aide who asked not to be named explained that Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory wanted to control what the governor did at all times.
“Yes, the commissioners’ resignation has shown that the governor did not appoint them. They were never his nominees. The list of the commissioners and advisers was handed over to the governor by the former governor with instructions on portfolios and offices to occupy. Even security agents were handed over to the governor with clear instructions on where to post them,” the aide told Punch Newspaper.
Adding, “Is there a way the governor can appoint commissioners, advisers and others and they will be resigning this way? It is not possible. Don’t forget that we are just about seven months in office. Commissioners appointed by the governor won’t leave.”
Chronicle NG had reported that at least six commissioners resigned on Thursday including Zacchaeus Adangor, Rivers Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
On December 13, Wike turned 56 and Fubara sent him a public birthday message, describing him as “my oga”.
“Your excellency, my dear wife and I, and the good people of Rivers State join your family and friends to felicitate you on this day.
“We sincerely pray that your new age brings joy and good health.
“Once again, happy birthday and hearty congratulations.”
Former presidential aide and veteran journalist, Laolu Akande, described the ongoing rift between the two men as “disappointing“.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, Akande, who is the TV’s in-house political analyst, dissected the political crisis rocking the state and chided the FCT minister for failing to live up to expectations as an experienced and astute politician by using his expertise to resolve the matter before degenerating into a bigger crisis.
“It is disappointing that the FCT Minister is not managing his own anointed governor; he owns an anointed governor, and the responsibilities are more on him than the governor,” Akande said.
In a show of political power, 27 legislators in the Rivers State House of Assembly have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.
The switch by the lawmakers was reportedly masterminded by Wike, although the APC has denied that he has a hand in the defection.
There have been efforts to impeach Fubara as governor by lawmakers loyal to Wike but the impeachment proceeding was blocked by a high court in Rivers.
