Elected councilors in Rivers State under the umbrella of the National Councilors Forum of Nigeria, NCFN, Rives has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to as a matter of urgency sack the minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesome Wike for making comments that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.
The accused of donating his six months’ salary to an ex-militant leader to disrupt the peace, and that he organized ex militants to demonstrate in the streets of Port Harcourt recently to give the impression that their activities are approved by Abuja.
A statement signed by the Chairman of the body, Hon. Lesor Nwigbaranee and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Dagogo Humphrey, said that the minister had urged his loyalists to fight the supporters of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and had threatened to make the state ungovernable for the governor.
The statement noted that the recent kidnapping of four Thailand citizens on their way to work at a fish farm owned by the state government in Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area, could have been motivated by Wike’s comments.
The Councilors also said it was unacceptable for the minister to openly declare his ambition to be the governor of the state as a serving minister, a move they said violates INEC regulation, urging him to resign first.
“In as much as the forum is not against his political ambition as a citizen of the country and allowed by the constitution, he should not hide at the back of his ministerial position and that of the federal government to threaten the peace and security of the state”.
The forum said the Rivers people, the nation and the international community are watching the minister’s action, and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack him in the interest democracy.
When contacted, Jerry Needam, the special assistant on media to the state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Felix Obuah said that Wike had done nothing wrong to warrant such call, and accused the deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly of using persons camouflaging as councilors to promote tension in the state.
The party accused the deputy speaker of using state’s funds and resources to drag Wike’s name in the mud, warning Kwanee and his allies to desist from using pseudo names in playing politics of calumny against the PDP and the leader of the party in the State, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
He said that the leadership of the party has confidence in the ability and person of Wike, noting that the Party has watched and participated in his activities from 2011when was appointed minister to date and is satisfied with the manner he has continued to pilot the affairs of the party in the State.
He said that Wike has ensured the success and growth of the party in Rivers State, and described it as a record that cannot be faulted or challenged by anyone in the area.
“It is in the light of this that the Party appeals to the President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to discountenance unfounded claims and speculations by a faceless group on the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and continue to trust and encourage him even with higher responsibilities in acknowledgement of his contributions to the Party and sustenance of our democracy”, Needam said.
