Former Presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has called on the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to “surrender” the state and accept that he is no longer the governor.
Akande said this during the “My Take” segment of Channels Television’s Inside Sources on Sunday, where he reviewed the political tension between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“One undeniable duty of a leader is to lift people up. All our elected and appointed leaders owe it to us as a people,” Akande said.
“But in Rivers State, what we’re seeing instead is the assault, insult, and absurdities of godfathers fighting their godsons. This is one of the blockages preventing the emergence of a truly people-based political process.”
Akande noted that Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), needs to step back from actively meddling in Rivers State politics. He described the ongoing clashes between Wike and Fubara as detrimental to the state, particularly in light of recent violence and destruction of public property.
Akande criticized Wike’s protracted dispute with Governor Fubara, saying it has contributed to escalating violence in the state.
“The immediate past Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, is locking horns with his self-appointed heir to the extent that both of them have to convince us they’re not part of the violence that has erupted in Rivers lately. We’ve seen public buildings destroyed and lives lost. Who does that? Why is that acceptable?” Akande questioned.
He went further to criticize both leaders for their roles in the dispute.
“Wike, known as ‘Mr. Project,’ is not displaying the calm and collected demeanor expected of a political gladiator. Meanwhile, Fubara is positioning himself as a public brawler” rather than a reconciliatory leader.
He argued that neither of them is lifting the people of Rivers up in these circumstances.
Akande urged Wike to recognize that his time as governor is over and to heed his own past advice in similar situations, playing a tape where as Governor, Wike called out on his predecessor for pulling Rivers State down.
“Wike should surrender practically and accept that he’s no longer the governor of Rivers State. The people should confront him with his own words from the past. He should take his own advice.”
Turning his attention to Governor Fubara, Akande advised him to adopt a more reconciliatory approach.
“Fubara needs to rally the different arms of the state government and bring the people together to enhance service delivery in Rivers. He should make peace with Wike, as the ongoing conflict benefits no one.”
Akande also expressed concerns about the role of the Police in the escalating situation.