Says Niger Delta Militants’ Threats Are Nonsense

No Ethnic Group Has Monopoly on Pipeline Destruction

Rivers LG Poll Unlikely to Hold in August 2025

PANDEF, Worst Organisation to Rely On

ABUJA – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed concerns that impeaching Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara could lead to instability, insisting that the process is constitutionally sanctioned.

Speaking at a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike questioned the uproar surrounding a potential impeachment, arguing that it is a legitimate course of action if a public official is found guilty of an impeachable offense.

“But will you support an impeachment? If you have committed an offense to be impeached, what is wrong? Is it a criminal offense? It is provided in the constitution,” Wike stated.
“Let us wait till 2027 to vote him out? Don’t you know what to do? What is all this hullabaloo that they will impeach?”

Wike also scoffed at claims that such a move could trigger unrest, dismissing them as baseless.

“I have heard people say, ‘Oh, if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order!’ Rubbish,” he said.

Blasts Niger Delta Militants’ Threats: “Who Is Born a Militant?”

Wike ridiculed warnings that Niger Delta militants would react violently if the Rivers Assembly proceeded with impeachment proceedings, describing such threats as empty posturing.

“It’s the Ijaw people? Which Ijaw? And Niger Delta militants? Rubbish! Tell me, who are the militants? Who is not a militant? Who is born a militant?” Wike fired.

He criticized the perception that only Ijaw people have the capacity to attack oil pipelines, arguing that other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta could do the same.

“Who told you Ogoni people cannot blow up pipelines? Who told you Ikwerre people cannot blow up pipelines? Who told you Epie people cannot blow up pipelines? Why do we arrogate power to certain groups of people?”

The minister also pointed out the contradiction in some of these threats, particularly given that an Ijaw leader, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), holds a federal contract to protect pipelines.

“Who is doing the contract on the pipeline? Is it not an Ijaw son? Is it not Tompolo? They gave him a contract to do surveillance, and they are saying they will blow up pipelines? That’s crap. The moment I hear that—to hell! How dare you threaten a country?”

Wike further alleged that many of these threats were politically orchestrated by individuals seeking to manipulate public opinion.

“These are political things being planted by some people in government. We all know ourselves. You make an appointment of MD of NDDC, and they threaten, ‘We will blow pipelines.’ What kind of country is this?”

“Fubara Lacks Loyalty” – Wike

Addressing the Rivers political crisis, Wike emphasized that political reconciliation must be based on loyalty and respect. He accused Fubara of betraying those who brought him to power.

“The Assembly members have shown they are coming from somewhere. We cannot deny where we are coming from. We must be grateful.”

“Now, you want them to obey us, but you too, that came through us, you don’t want to obey? Why do you want only one group to be loyal, and the other group shouldn’t be?”

Wike also dismissed the notion that Ijaw people dominate Niger Delta politics, stating that they are a minority in most states except Bayelsa.

“Ijaw does not constitute the majority of the Niger Delta. People must speak the truth; heaven will not fall. You only die once, not twice. In Akwa Ibom, Ijaw cannot be governor. In Delta, Ijaw is the minority of the minority.”

Rivers LG Elections Unlikely in August 2025

Wike expressed doubts that the Rivers State Local Government elections, scheduled for August 27, 2025, would hold as planned. He accused Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd.), Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), of avoiding accountability.

“The Assembly summoned the Chairman of RSIEC, who is one of the most corrupt individuals I have ever encountered. He knows who I am, so let him challenge me,” Wike declared.

He criticized Enebeli for seeking refuge in the courts instead of answering to the Assembly.

“Instead of appearing before the Assembly, he went to the state High Court because the Chief Judge is his ally, but this won’t conclude the matter.”

Wike was emphatic that the elections would not hold.

“Now let me explain why the August 27 local government elections will not occur. It will not stand,” he declared.

PANDEF, Worst Organisation to Rely On – Wike

Wike also dismissed the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) as an unreliable organization, accusing its leaders of prioritizing personal financial gain over regional interests.

“Yesterday, I heard that some people went to see Mr. President. PANDEF is the worst organisation anybody can rely on,” he said.

He condemned their inconsistency in the Rivers political crisis, noting that they first rejected President Bola Tinubu’s intervention but later sought his help after losing in court.

“Mr. President intervened in this matter. The Vice President was there, the National Security Adviser was there. The National Security Adviser signed for the implementation of peace. This same PANDEF came out and said, ‘Mr. President has no right.’ They took Mr. President to court.”

Wike singled out Chief Saraibe and former Governor Diette-Spiff for criticism, labeling them as political opportunists.

“People like Chief Saraibe, one of the worst persons you can ever think of, one of the political merchants—I know them. Diette-Spiff, whom I respected, went to Government House and said, ‘I’m an Ijaw man, you’re an Ijaw man, call us, we’ll be with you.’ What kind of elder statesman does that?”

Wike Calls Fubara’s Letter to Rivers Assembly “Useless”

Finally, Wike took a swipe at Governor Fubara over his recent letter to the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as “useless.”

Fubara’s letter sought a meeting with lawmakers regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s political crisis, but Wike dismissed the move as insincere.

“You have had a frosty relationship with a branch of government. If you are a good politician, would you write a letter? Is it by sending a letter signed by the SSG? What an insult! This isn’t how it should be done,” he said.

He accused the governor of political grandstanding rather than engaging in genuine dialogue.

“You can take a horse to the stream, but you cannot force the horse to drink water,” Wike concluded.