Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has accused Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of disregarding court judgements, a move he warns could cause chaos and violence, News About Nigeria reports.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, made this statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He expressed concern that ignoring legal rulings risks undermining the rule of law and creating disorder.
“I was a governor, and I have always obeyed the rule of law,” Wike said. “The moment you don’t obey court judgments, you are inviting anarchy, you are inviting violence. You must not take the law into your hands.”
Wike criticised Governor Fubara’s public stance, claiming that Fubara openly admitted on national television that he would not honour a court ruling.
He also condemned Fubara’s comments about the police’s role in providing security for the local government elections in Rivers State, attributing recent unrest in the state to Fubara’s decisions.
On Sunday, violence erupted across at least four local government areas in Rivers State. Buildings in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua council premises were set ablaze, and gunfire broke out in Ahoada East as political tensions escalated following the controversial local government elections.
Following the removal of police officers from securing the 23 council secretariats, political opponents reportedly attacked newly elected officials, leading to the destruction of several council secretariats.
The elections were held Saturday amid high tension, with the Action People’s Party (APP) claiming victory in 22 out of 23 chairmanship seats and the Action Alliance (AA) winning one.
Despite opposition from the PDP, APC, and the police, Governor Fubara proceeded with the election, swearing in the new local government chairpersons on Sunday.
By Monday, several council premises had been attacked, with some newly elected chairpersons facing hostility as they assumed office.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has directed the police to secure the local government secretariats and restore order across the state.
