Yoruba Renaissance Coalition, YRC, has expressed deep concern over the recent political crisis in Rivers State, which has been instigated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The YRC, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson Comrade Kunle Adetobi, on Monday, urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the situation and prevent further escalation by removing Nyesom Wike from the position of Minister of the FCT.
The YRC highlighted the disturbing developments, particularly the reported plot to unlawfully remove Governor Siminalaye Fubara, who has only been in office for a short period.
The Group said that the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the threats made against the governor when he visited the Assembly Complex after the incident are clear indications of a deliberate attempt to destabilize the state.
The YRC statement drew attention to the potential implications of Wike’s actions on President Tinubu’s administration. They suggest that Wike’s involvement in perpetrating violence in Rivers State is part of a wider scheme to tarnish the reputation of the Tinubu administration.
The YRC recalls previous instances where Wike’s reckless actions embarrassed the administration and threatened to incite inter-regional and inter-religious conflicts.
“As the FCT Minister, Wike has consistently engaged in unreasonable actions, made unguarded utterances, disrupted and breeched protocol in a manner that has embarrassed the Federal Ministry of External Affairs recently.
“His provocative controversies surrounding the National Mosque and his attempts to create divisions between the Muslim and Christian communities are highly concerning,” Adetobi said.
The YRC warned that if left unchecked, Wike’s actions could undermine the populist tendencies of President Tinubu’s government and potentially lead the nation into greater conflict.
In light of these concerns, the YRC called on President Tinubu to take immediate action. They propose that Wike be stripped of his position as Minister of the FCT and that the involvement of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police be thoroughly investigated.
“The YRC hereby emphasizes that in a democracy, the principles of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all, and no one should be allowed to act with impunity.
“We assert here that removing Wike from his position and investigating the involvement of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police are necessary steps to prevent any untold crisis in the state and the nation at large.”