Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju on Friday issued a strong call to Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State, urging him to take a bold stand and confront the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the ongoing political tension in the state.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, Adeyanju emphasized that for Fubara to resolve the political crisis effectively, he must adopt a decisive and confrontational approach towards Wike. The activist lawyer argued that the minister is not a god and should not be treated as such, urging Fubara to assert his leadership and authority in Rivers State.
Adeyanju stated that the only way forward in this ongoing dispute is for Fubara to challenge Wike directly, as any attempts to negotiate or compromise would likely be futile. He described Wike as a totalitarian figure who does not tolerate opposition or seek middle ground, highlighting the need for a robust confrontation to check his influence.
The constitutional lawyer further argued that a head-on confrontation is not only necessary for resolving the differences between the two political figures but also crucial for creating a more stable and constructive political environment in Rivers State. By asserting his leadership in this manner, Fubara could potentially strengthen his position and pave the way for meaningful resolutions to the challenges facing the state.
According to Adeyanju: “There is nothing that Fubara would do that will make Wike back down. He’s a totalitarian who does not believe in a middle ground. He would not shift, and the governor has shifted severally. The way out is for the governor to confront him frontally. Wike does not like to be challenged, and once you challenge him, he becomes jittery and starts talking anyhow.”
He continued: “The governor should challenge him headlong. The law is settled that when people defect, they lose their seat as stated by the Supreme Court. They went and got a lower court to make another ruling on the same subject matter.”
Adeyanju also responded to claims Wike made during an interview about being the so-called oracle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He questioned Wike’s self-proclaimed authority within the party, saying: “Assuming that I went to beg Wike as he said in his interview, that means he’s the oracle that makes people in PDP. So why couldn’t he make himself a PDP presidential candidate since he’s the oracle of the party that determines who gets what and how in PDP?”
The lawyer’s remarks have sparked discussions across political circles, with many weighing in on the power dynamics between the two leaders and the potential implications for Rivers State’s political landscape.