The Ijaw National Congress has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to rein in FCT minister Nyesom Wike over the crisis in Rivers.

INC president Benjamin Okaba appealed to Mr Tinubu at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Wike and Governor Siminialayi Fubara are at loggerheads over the control of political machinery in the oil-rich state.

Mr Okaba said INC was concerned that the political crisis could affect other parts of the country if left unchecked.

‘’Mr President, sir, as the father of the nation, the alter ego of Nigeria, we are fervently appealing to you to call the FCT minister to order. This is for the sake of peace and security in Nigeria. Stop this drift towards national disintegration and anarchy now,’’ he said.

Mr Okaba alleged that Mr Wike’s power tussle with the Rivers governor might not be unconnected with the minister’s desire to enhance Mr Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in the next general election.

‘’We understand the dictates of politics and the need to harvest Rivers votes for the president’s second tenure elections. What we misunderstand is the thought that only the FCT minister can assist the president to win Rivers,” Mr Okaba said.

He said Mr Fubara had been faithful to Mr Tinubu’s eight-point directive to both parties during the conflict resolution meeting held in Abuja.

‘’In October 2023, you called stakeholders to a meeting and tabled an eight-point directive to all parties involved to return peace to Rivers. Whereas many of our people considered your eight-point directive manifestly slanted against the governor’s interest and in favour of the FCT minister, the governor acceded to it,’’ he said.

Mr Okaba explained that while the governor acted in good faith concerning the directive, the minister acted otherwise by refusing to withdraw the court cases he instituted.

He added that less than three weeks after the presidential directives, Martins Amaewhule led 25 Rivers House of Assembly lawmakers to defect to the All Progressives Congress.

Mr Okaba said Mr Fubara obeyed the Supreme Court order that LGAs must be administered by elected officers, without which funds must be withheld.

He said Mr Fubara worked assiduously to actualise the return of elected officers to the local government areas in accordance with Mr Tinubu’s desires and backed by the Supreme Court judgment.

He also said that Fubara holds permanent olive branches, sending constant peace emissaries to the FCT minister.

‘’So again we appeal to Mr President to call the FCT minister to order as a stitch in time, they say, saves nine,’’ he said.

(NAN)