The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s attempt to engage the Rivers State House of Assembly, calling his letter to lawmakers “useless.”
Wike, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, criticised Fubara’s method of communication, arguing that the governor should have contacted Speaker Martins Amaewhule directly instead of sending a formal request.
“You have had a frosty relationship with an arm of government. If you are a good politician, will you go and write a letter?” he said. “Is it by writing a letter signed by the SSG? What an insult! Is it how it is done? If you are a politician, you know what to do.
“You want to play at the gallery, which is rubbish. All these letters are useless, you are not sincere; you are playing to the gallery.”
The controversy follows a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, a setback for Fubara.
The ruling also restricted financial institutions from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government over its alleged disregard for previous court decisions.
In response, Fubara pledged to implement the court’s directives, including fresh local government elections scheduled for August 9, 2025.
As part of the peace efforts, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, sent a letter requesting a meeting with lawmakers on March 10 to discuss the 2025 budget.
However, Wike insists that peace in Rivers State can only be restored if Fubara recognises the Assembly’s authority and follows due process.
READ ALSO: Fubara denied entry into Rivers Assembly quarters
“What is peace? What is more important than letting the right thing be done? When the right thing is done, there will be peace,” Wike asserted.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that Fubara was, on Wednesday, denied access to the official quarters of the state House of Assembly along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Fubara arrived at the complex alongside key government officials, including Danagogo, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie. However, they were met with locked gates, barring them from entering the premises.
Addressing journalists at the scene, the governor accused Speaker Martin Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him, stating that several calls placed to the lawmaker went unanswered.
“Before my arrival here, I made several attempts to speak to the Speaker. I also sent a letter, which was duly transmitted for this particular invitation,” Fubara said.
“Unfortunately, the gates are completely sealed, and there is no indication that any meeting will take place today,” he added.
