The power struggle between the FCT minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike and his estranged political godson and governor of Rivers state, Sim Fubara, has taken a different dimension, despite the call by several stakeholders, who called on both parties to sheathe their sword to embrace peace.
In the latest row, an Ijaw group, under the aegis of Ijaw Renaissance Force (IRF), threatened a resurgence of militancy in the oil rich Niger Delta if Governor Sim was unconstitutionally removed through either an illegal impeachment or a stage- managed judicial judgement.
In a statement jointly signed by the coordinator of the group, Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli and its spokesperson, Sir White Kalio, the group berated the role of some state and non-state actors in aggravating the matter, through an attempted illegal removal of Fubara.
Part of the statement read, “We, Ijaw Renaissance Force, a coalition of over 100 ethnic nationalities and youth groups operating in Rivers and Bayelsa have watched with grave concern, the ongoing power tussle between the former governor of Rivers state, Barrister, Nyesom Wike, now minister of FCT and Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers state.”
“We have also watched with baited breath attempts by some elected officials and other non-state actors to stage manage the forceful removal from office of a duly elected Governor Fubara through the back door without any justifiable reason.”
The group sounded a note of warning for trouble makers, reminding them of the grave implications of their actions.
“We, therefore, state unequivocally that any attempt or vexed impeachment or stage-managed judicial removal of Governor Sim Fubara from office would spell another return to the oil war struggle in Rivers state. A word is enough for the wise.”
