Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has come forward to defend Rivers State Governor Similaye Fubura, asserting that the governor is being targeted by political adversaries.
According to Secondus, these opponents are agitating because of Fubura’s refusal to grant them unrestricted access to the state’s financial resources.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday, Secondus pointed fingers at Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accusing him of instigating Governor Fubura’s political challenges.
“The unyielding feud and contentious behavior of Wike have not only undermined Fubura but have also cast the entire state in a negative light,” said Secondus.
Secondus elaborated on the nature of the political tension within Rivers State, describing it as a battle against corruption and the pilfering of state assets.
He commended Governor Fubura for his integrity and determination to protect the state’s treasury, despite facing considerable opposition.
Secondus said, “Wike has been Governor for eight years and is now Minister of the FCT. As Minister, what, has he (Wike) attracted in terms of Federal projects to our dear State since he assumed office? Perhaps misery, grief, and anguish. As Governor he had supervised the exit of investors from the state due to his draconian policies.
“He had on an occasion mentioned that he is capable of causing crisis and he is not far from the truth, as he is causing an unfathomable crisis in Rivers State.
“Mrs Patience Jonathan and I worked for his emergence as governor, have we ever breathed down his neck? Instead what we get is disrespect and insults.
“ I can attest to Dr. Odili’s performance as Governor being the State PDP chairman then. I hasten to say without any fear of contradiction that he is the best governor of Rivers State in this dispensation.
“Wike claims that our revered Dr. Odili made him but in his characteristic manner, he publicly ridiculed the Odili’s without any justification. He owes them an unreserved apology and he should do so publicly.
“These media attacks against the political leaders of Rivers State are unwarranted and diversionary.
“For the records you should account for the three hundred million dollars($300m) you collected from the NNPC for the Ogoni Oil well and the cash refund made by the Saipem oil and gas company and subsequently account for your eight-year tenure of over N4Trillion realized, mismanaged and squandered. Rather than trying to cover your inadequacies through media attacks.”
These attacks, he stressed, might dovetail into a national crisis if not properly checked.
While appealing to President Bola Tinubu to reign in the FCT minister, Secondus added, “I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prevail on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to stop overheating the Rivers State political atmosphere and allow Fubara to work. Whatever Wike thinks he is It must be stressed that Rivers people made him.”