A lawyer, activist and Pan-Africanist, Chetam Thierry Nwala has alleged that the political unrest in Rivers State followed unfulfillable demands by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The activist, who spoke on Arise Television on Tuesday, alleged that the refusal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remit 25 per cent of the state’s allocation to Wike, his immediate predecessor, caused the ongoing face-off.
He alleged that Wike demanded that 25 per cent of all allocations coming into the state should be given to him.
Nwala also alleged that Wike demanded N2 billion from the N5 billion recently disbursed by the Federal Government to the states as part of palliatives to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
According to the Pan-Africanist, most of the governor’s aides, including Commissioners and Chief Security Officer, were appointed by the FCT Minister.
He said, “Wike demanded 25% of Rivers State allocations. From what we heard, the governor even offered to give him 10%. This is what is happening in our state.
“Not just that, we had a situation where Wike appointed almost all the commissioners, appointed a Chief Security Officer for the governor. These are personal things that should be of concern to the governor. These are things that should make him revolt.
“We have seen a situation where even the commissioners appointed by Wike disrespect the governor. Naturally, everybody will revolt. You don’t expect the governor to stick to any agreement made before the election.
“If the governor continues with the agenda Wike has for Rivers State, the state will not make progress. Wike took Rivers State 10 years backwards.
“Let me also shock you, out of the N5 billion palliative money that was sent to Rivers State, Wike demanded N2 billion from it. This is why some of us commend his (Fubara) moves”.
Daily Post recalls that the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday, attempted to impeach the governor, causing unrest in the state.
The assembly complex was set ablaze on Sunday night following reported moves to impeach the governor.
There are reports that the impeachment plot was orchestrated by the FCT Minister who is said to be bent on unseating the governor over yet to be disclosed reasons.