LG POLLS: Why Tinubu must caution Wike against disturbing Gov Fubara, says Bode George
By KEMI KASUMU
However, Chief Bode George came on the side of the sitting on Monday with a word of caution to President Tinubu, warning him against allowing democracy to be truncated under his leadership.
Former Military Governor of Old Ondo State and chietain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, has made a call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on his Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, to allow his successor and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, a breathing space.
He spoke, on Monday October 7, 2024, after conclusion of the October 5 local governments elections in the South South political headquarters and economic nerve centre, which 23 newly emerged LG chairmen were sworn in by the governor on Sunday October 6.
Chief Goerge, a Retired Navy Commodore, reportedly said Tinubu would be the biggest loser if he failed to caution Wike.
Fubara had conducted the local government elections in Rivers State fully people-based without the presence of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) providing security.
Under Fubara, the Action People’s Party (APP) came from ‘nowhere’ and swept 22 of 23 local government areas, while Action Alliance (AA) won the remaining one local government without his PDP, which structure is controlled by Wike, and All Progressives Congress (APC) being able to clinch any having boycotted tge exercise.
Prior to the election, Wike and Fubara had been at loggerheads over control of the political structure in the state.
However, Chief Bode George came on the side of the sitting on Monday with a word of caution to President Tinubu, warning him against allowing democracy to be truncated under his leadership.
In a statement he issued, the for PDP’s Deputy National Chaurman (South), said, “Now that people of Rivers State have boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by coming out to vote in the local government election on Saturday, this is the time for former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara work and deliver dividend of democracy to the people.
“This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.
“I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser.”
