Wike Warns Amid Ongoing Rift with Governor Sim Fubara: "Nobody Has a Monopoly on Violence"

 

As tensions between former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Sim Fubara, escalate, Wike has issued a strong statement, asserting that "nobody has the monopoly of causing violence."

Wike made this remark on Saturday, September 28, during an event in Port Harcourt organized by the Rivers State Ijaw Peoples Congress in his honor. Addressing the ongoing political discord, Wike sought to clarify public misconceptions that Governor Fubara speaks for the entire Ijaw community in their feud.

He said, "I want to thank this team for organizing this strategic meeting. When Senator Johnson Nsakebor approached me on behalf of the Rivers Ijaw Congress to honor me, I questioned the need. But he explained that many people have been misrepresenting the views of the Ijaw people, so I agreed to attend and set the record straight."

Wike used the platform to challenge the narrative that the Ijaw people are against him, likening the situation to a family where one child might go astray, but it does not mean the entire family is at fault. He criticized those who, according to him, falsely claim to represent the Ijaw community on television.

"All these people going on TV saying the Ijaw people are fighting me—ask them what positions the Ijaw people held in the House of Assembly during my tenure. Who has Fubara elevated?" Wike questioned. He went on to assert that his administration had achieved more for the Ijaw people, particularly by making an Ijaw man the governor of Rivers State.

Wike emphasized his political achievements, pointing out that his team worked tirelessly to ensure that an Ijaw man was made governor, something he said had never happened before. He challenged those criticizing him to reflect on their own inability to achieve similar results.

In a sharp warning, Wike stated, "I have told people that nobody has a monopoly on causing violence. Just because we choose to follow the law and maintain calm does not mean we can't fight back. We will continue to create an environment where investors feel safe, but make no mistake, we can defend ourselves if necessary."

The comments come as the rift between Wike and Fubara, which has been simmering for some time, appears to deepen, with both leaders vying for political dominance in Rivers State.