Youths Accuse Wike Of Triggering Rivers Crisis

The South South Youth Initiative (SSYI) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of triggering the political crisis in Rivers State, calling on President Bola Tinubu to rein him in to restore peace.

The youths accused Wike, the immediate past governor of the state, of being the architect of the protracted political crisis rocking the state.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, SSYI national president Comrade Oscar Imeabe expressed frustration that Rivers remains embroiled in deep political crisis while other states focus on governance and development.

Imeade stated that while other states focus on industrialisation and economic growth, Rivers State remains trapped in avoidable political instability, allegedly fuelled by the FCT minister.

“As youths of Rivers State and the South South region, we are not happy with what is happening in Rivers State. When every other state is thinking about industrialisation and boosting their economic situation, Rivers State faces an unnecessary political crisis orchestrated by the FCT minister.

“We want Nyesom Wike to understand that we are not happy with him as youths of the state and region. We are calling on Mr President to sack the Honourable Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

“We believe that if the minister is sacked, Rivers State will be at peace,” he said.

The youth leader further noted that political dissent was stifled during Wike’s tenure as governor, claiming that no senior government official openly challenged or criticised his administration.

According to the group, youth empowerment under Wike’s administration was virtually non-existent, with no meaningful job creation, skills acquisition, or empowerment programmes implemented.

“When Nyesom Wike was governor of Rivers State, nobody, not even the local government chairman or House of Assembly members, criticised him. They were all loyalists. Nobody truncated the process or the infrastructural development of Nyesom Wike,” Imeade said.

Commenting on ongoing impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, by 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the youths dismissed claims of financial misconduct as politically motivated witch-hunts allegedly driven by Wike.

The youths also accused the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, of acting as political tools to destabilise the state and undermine governance.

They warned the presidency that continued backing of Wike could cost President Tinubu crucial electoral support in Rivers State in the 2027 general elections.