A former Commissioner of Works in Rivers State, Alabo George-Kelly, has criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the ongoing rift between the latter and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He claimed that without Wike’s assistance, Fubara would have remained a level 14 civil servant in the Rivers State Ministry of Finance.
George-Kelly, a staunch supporter of Wike, explained to Channels Television that Wike played a pivotal role in Fubara’s career progression, elevating him from a level 14 civil servant to the positions of Deputy Financial Adviser, Permanent Secretary, Accountant-General, and eventually, Governor.
He emphasized, “We must not forget about those that helped us to climb. Fubara would have been a level 14 civil servant in the Ministry of Finance. It is Wike that made him a DFA, Permanent Secretary, Accountant-General, and then a governor today. Some of us should be bold enough to speak the truth to power.”
The political crisis in Rivers State came to public attention on October 30, 2023, following an explosion in the State Assembly complex the previous night. In response, the state lawmakers initiated an impeachment process against Governor Fubara and suspended four lawmakers.
This incident further divided the state Assembly, with 27 lawmakers aligning with Wike, while only three remained loyal to Governor Fubara. Edison Ehie, one of Fubara’s loyalists, resigned and now serves as the Chief-of-Staff to the governor.
President Bola Tinubu intervened in the crisis in December 2023, attempting to bring about peace. This intervention led to the formulation of an eight-point resolution signed by both Fubara and Wike. However, despite this peace pact, the unrest in the state persists.