Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, a Strategic Management and Human Capital Development expert, has urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to put aside their differences.
As a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Ikechukwu called on both leaders to work together to resolve the ongoing crisis in the oil-rich state. He emphasized that neither side should aim for a total victory but should focus on finding a compromise that serves the state’s interests.
“Both sides should not be focused on winning; they should seek ways to accommodate each other. They need to figure out a deal that all parties can live with, as long as it benefits the state,” Ikechukwu said.
He also pointed out that if either side wins decisively, it could lead to deeper unrest. “If one side completely disregards the interests of the other, there will be hostile forces that will not rest, making governance difficult. If Fubara’s interests are completely sidelined, there may be no state left to govern.”
Ikechukwu also praised Wike for his infrastructure development in Abuja, encouraging the former Rivers State governor to reconcile with his former political ally.
The tension between the two political figures escalated when Governor Fubara arrived at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters on Wednesday, only to find the gates locked by security personnel. The gate was locked because there had been no official communication between the governor and the Assembly. Fubara insisted he had informed Speaker Martins Amaewhule of his visit through a letter and phone calls.
In response, Wike commented on the situation, stating that if the Assembly decided to impeach Fubara over issues such as the withholding of lawmakers’ salaries, there would be no catastrophic consequences. “If an official is found to have committed an impeachable offense, what is wrong with that? It’s a constitutional process,” Wike said, dismissing concerns about potential unrest.
He also criticized the letter Fubara sent to the Assembly, suggesting it was poorly handled, and reiterated that if the Assembly had wanted to escalate tensions, it could have taken a six-month recess after the Supreme Court ruling.
