[td_smart_list_end]Port-Harcourt, Rivers state – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at certain elders in Rivers state, accusing them of opposing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention, as reported by Premium Times.
Wike asserts that their discontent stems from the defeat of some of their sons in the recent general election.
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Speaking at the Thanksgiving service and marriage anniversary celebration of his ally, Des George-Kelly, on Sunday, December 24, Wike revealed the historical resistance he faced from these elders during his bid for the 2015 governorship election. According to him, only two individuals purported to represent the entire body of elders and attempted to dissuade him from contesting.
“When I was running for governor in 2014/2015, I was invited that some elders wanted to see me. When I got there, I saw only two people. Just two of them constituted themselves as elders over the whole state,” Wike recounted. He expressed skepticism at their authority and dismissed their opposition.
They Are Fighting Me Unjustly- Wike
The Minister went on to highlight the return of these elders, attributing their renewed opposition to the recent electoral losses experienced by some of their sons.
He remarked, “Check everyone there, some of them; their sons lost the election. Everybody wants to take their pound of flesh. ‘Wike prevented me from this. Wike made me not to be that. Wike made me not to be that.’ Even those that Wike made have joined them.”
In a related development, six elders from Rivers State have taken President Tinubu to the Federal High Court in Abuja. Their lawsuit alleges that Governor Siminilaya Fubara was coerced into an unconstitutional agreement with the Minister.
The elders argue that the 8-point resolution violates the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and have called upon the court to determine the legality of such agreements.
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As tensions escalate, the legal battle initiated by the dissatisfied elders underscores the complex political landscape in Rivers State and raises questions about the extent of constitutional authority in matters of state agreements.
