By Kolawole Ojebisi
The battle for supremacy between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and erstwhile ally, Nyesom Wike has taken a new twist as a Niger Delta militia group has thrown its weight behind the incumbent governor.
The militia group has threatened to shut down oil installations in the Niger Delta region if Wike doesn’t stop what the group described as disrupting the business of governance under Fubara with his overbearing influence which is supposedly strengthened by Federal might.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to call Wike to order or existing oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region will be crippled.
It stressed that Wike’s attitude has become unbearable, and that members of the group won’t fold their arms and watch the ex-governor keep undermining the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
In a statement signed on Sunday by its spokesman, Justin Alabraba, the group expressed particular anger over an alleged plan by Wike to use a judge whom the group claims “happens to be his ally and friend to secure a ruling in his favour which would stop local government allocations to the state on Monday.”
The statement elucidated further: “Our members will not hesitate to shut down oil installations if any judge in Abuja issues a pronouncement that financially incapacitates local governments in Rivers State, preventing them from fulfilling their duty to the people.
“We will act immediately. It will be a swift response, and we will shut down major oil installations in the Niger Delta. If President Bola Tinubu allows Wike to disrupt governance in the local governments of Rivers State, we will also disrupt governance at all levels. We cannot continue to suffer while other parts of Nigeria prosper. Wike must leave Fubara alone.
“For months now, Wike has continued to insult and intimidate Governor Fubara, wielding his federal influence. We won’t tolerate that anymore.
“Any further move against Fubara by Wike will be met with the destruction of oil installations. Since Tinubu seems intent on turning a blind eye, let us all face the consequences together. Rivers State does not belong to Wike, and he cannot conclude his eight-year term without harassing those who helped him get there while now seeking to disturb his successor.”
The group warned that there would be no turning back if a judgement is issued against Rivers State, insisting, “We will bomb and continue to destroy oil installations. This is not a threat; it is a promise. Enough is enough. Wike and Tinubu cannot take us for granted any longer.”
This threat is coming barely 24 hours after a former Niger Delta Militant leader, Asari Dokubo, vowed to work against Tinubu’s political aspirations in 2027.
Dokubo said he would form alliance with a Northern group to realize his aim stressing that Tinubu has betrayed him.
The former militant’s regret is believed to be connected to Tinubu’s reported failure to call Wike to order over the rift between the FCT Minister and the incumbent governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
