One Rivers Initiative (ORI), a Pan-Rivers Group, has denounced the threats made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, aimed at destabilizing states whose governors support Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid the ongoing Rivers political impasse.
Victor Burubo, Director of Media and Publicity for ORI, criticized Wike’s statements as acts of intolerance and arrogance. During a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Burubo argued that the threats represent a significant national security concern and suggested that security agencies should have summoned Wike for questioning.
“There must be a limit to political sophistry and brinkmanship in Nigeria,” Burubo stated. “A nation in a critical security situation like Nigeria can no longer turn a blind eye to individuals who act as though they are greater than the state.”
He compared Wike’s actions to the absolutist rule of Louis XIV, stressing that modern democracies cannot be allowed to revert to such authoritarian practices. “Wike must be reminded that Nigeria operates under a democracy. Even where modern nation-states still carry the vestiges of monarchies, their powers have been drastically curtailed,” Burubo said. “Wike cannot take Rivers and Nigeria back to those periods of absolutism.”
Burubo also asserted that ORI would pursue any lawful action necessary to hold Wike accountable and prevent him from undermining the institutions that represent the integrity of Rivers and Nigeria. “This is a patriotic duty for ORI, and we intend to carry it out without fear of intimidation,” he added.
He accused Wike of organizing an illegal congress during the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congresses in Rivers, an act Burubo described as an affront to the Rule of Law. “Wike not only made a mockery of the party congresses but also attempted to lure Governor Fubara into conducting a parallel congress,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike had previously threatened to retaliate against PDP-ruled states where governors support Fubara. “I heard some governors say they will take away my structure and give it to somebody. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states,” Wike had stated to his supporters.