The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he will not recommend any commissioners to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the latter resumes leadership of Rivers State after six months of emergency rule.
President Bola Tinubu imposed the emergency rule in March following a prolonged political conflict between Fubara and Wike.
Observers had suggested that Wike’s alleged influence over political appointments contributed to the crisis.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, September 18, Wike stressed that he has no candidates to propose and will allow Fubara complete freedom to govern the state.
“I cannot go and impose anything on the governor. Why would I impose anything on the governor? Assuming I go to the governor and say, ‘I want this,’ will the state collapse? I will not. I have no candidate, and I will not,” he said.
He added that even if Fubara consulted him for guidance, he would ensure the governor has full autonomy.
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“Even if the governor comes to me now and says, ‘we have agreed we want to work together,’ which is natural, I will say ‘look, I give you free hand, you know how you want for the state.’
“All I would want to say, I know what I did and what I have done to keep this thing to this level, don’t drop it, move ahead. As I speak to you, I left the state where we can compete favourably with Lagos,” Wike said.
Fubara was expected at the Government House on Thursday, but he did not appear. Supporters who had gathered eventually dispersed after waiting for hours.
Wike clarified that the law does not require the governor to resume office immediately after the emergency rule ends.
“There is no law that said he must resume work today. He is the governor; I don’t understand the way we operate.
“Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow. You don’t know my programmes, or the governor’s schedule, or where he is,” Wike said.