Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former national publicity secretary of the now-defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, claims that Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, has unrestricted power over Sim Fubara, the current governor.
Eze alleged that Wike did everything in his power to ensure that Fubara became his successor, in a statement that made available to media houses in Port Harcourt.
He claimed that Wike is still in charge of making crucial decisions and doing important government business.
“Fubara must be alarmed that he remains responsible and accountable for every action taken on behalf of the state from May 29, 2023, when he assumed office until such a time when the courts will abrogate his illegitimate reign,” he said.
He said Fubara should have in mind that nobody will question Wike about what happens in the state under the current government.
“It is public knowledge that Wike has reappointed some Commissioners who worked under him to continue with Sim Fubara, a protege who has no mind of his own,” Eze added.
“Mr. Tammy Danagogo who served as Secretary to Government (SSG) under Wike’s eight-year miserable rule was also returned and has been sworn in as SSG while Emeke Woke, Wike’s Chief of Staff was demoted to a Commissioner.
All on the orders of Wike. Fubara’s aides, including his Personal Assistants, were all appointed by Wike.
“As it is, no financial transaction takes place in the government without Wike’s knowledge and approval. In fact, former Governor Wike still decides how much should go to each local government from the state’s share of the federal allocation.
“Aside from sharing the monthly security vote with Fubara, Wike decides how much the temporary Governor gets in a month.
It is unfortunate that Sim Fubara has been caged with the unwilling reappointment of most key actors in Wike’s eight-year misrule, particularly the appointment of Chief Wike’s kinsman, Chief Chidi Amadi a former Obio-Akpor Local Government PDP Chairman as Chief of Staff which is a clear pointer that the former Governor has cunningly succeeded in entrapping the political fortunes of the Ijaws of Rivers State by indirectly retaining the governance of the state after many years the position was left in the hands of the Ikwerres through Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (8 years) and Chief Nyesom Wike (8 years)
“The Ijaws and the entire Riverine Area are only being fooled with the installation of Sim, a mere stooge who bears the name of Governor without the boldness to exercise the relevant powers of the office.
“With the current situation, the use of the state-owned aircraft has been left exclusively for Wike while the Governor, Sim Fubara uses chattered aircraft for official engagements.
Eze called on Sim Fubara to “brace up, tackle Wike’s crude desperation and take full charge of the government for the very short time he will be serving as Governor,” noting that the excuse of ignorance will not avail him when he is called upon to account for the actions taken during the few moments he will be holding sway in that office.”