Wike’s camp plotting to incite fresh crisis, extend emergency rule in Rivers — Gbali 

Wike’s camp plotting to incite fresh crisis, extend emergency rule in Rivers — Gbali

 

 

Chisom Gbali, the Commissioner for Youth under the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and his cohorts of plans to extend the state of emergency in the state.

 

The suspended commissioner made the claim during an interview on AriseTV on Monday.

 

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Gbali claimed that certain political forces are working to incite unrest in the state, which could lead to President Bola Tinubu issuing another state of emergency declaration.

 

 

“There is a plan to extend it (emergency rule). Before the end of the six months, they want to incite problems that will make the President make another pronouncement. Of course, you know if there is any pronouncement, it calls for the end of the administration,” Gbali asserted.

 

 

He further described the situation as a political maneuver aimed at disrupting the current administration’s projects. “In politics, there is what we call body language. You will see that if you study the body language, that is the plan — where they set aside the subsisting projects, wanting to design a budget. But you know someone who was sent to establish peace even wants to install sole administrators at the local government level,” he added.

 

 

Gbali placed the blame on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his political allies.

 

“The former governor, who is the FCT minister, and his cohorts — the assembly members, the local chairmen whose tenure expired — are the people I am talking about. Because they are not at rest with the achievement of the governor, they want to distort the administration,” he said.

 

 

The Commissioner also expressed his disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the ongoing situation in Rivers State, emphasizing that there are more pressing national issues that require attention. “All these issues are geared towards 2027, and we are so surprised that His Excellency will be meddling in this kind of matter when there are more burning issues,” Gbali noted.

 

He pointed out the disparity in how the government is handling crises across the country, questioning the logic behind the emergency rule in Rivers State, where, according to him, no significant violence has occurred.

 

“People are dying every day in Plateau State, but there is no state of emergency. But in Rivers State, there was a declaration of emergency when we did not have anybody hurt. In Rivers State, everyone is going about their duty, and that is why everyone is calling on the President to rescind his decision,” Gbali added.

 

 

The controversy surrounding Rivers State continues to escalate. All things being equal, the tenure of the controversially appointed sole administrator is expected to end by September.

 

It was earlier reported that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday morning fired teargas at protesters gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

 

The protesters, primarily members of the ‘Take It Back Movement,’ were met with a heavy police presence when they gathered at the protest venue as early as 9 a.m.

 

The attack was confirmed by the South-South regional coordinator of the Take It Back Movement in a phone interview with the media on Monday morning.

 

“Yes, it’s true. Some of our guys were attacked by the police. I’m trying to assess the situation. I will get back to you.

 

It was reported that policemen gave the protesters a hot chase and beat up some of them, including journalists covering the event.

 

The demonstrators listed several grievances, including the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

 

There’s An Attempt to Extend State of Emergency in Rivers State – Gbali

 

Some elements within the state are trying to incite residents into acts of violence that could prompt President Tinubu to prolong the emergency rule. The Administrator’s body language and actions suggest a… pic.twitter.com/xVBrUgDhEi

 

— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) April 7, 2025