Fubara, Wike Spar Over Arson Inquiry As Panel Delivers Final Report

Fubara, Wike Spar Over Arson Inquiry As Panel Delivers Final ReportTensions erupted on Wednesday between the camps of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and former Governor Nyesom Wike as the commission investigating the arson that destroyed several local government secretariats wrapped up its proceedings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The three local government secretariats were set on fire on October 7, following the chaos that ensued after the controversial October 5 local government elections in the state. Despite being invited, Wike, along with several prominent figures including the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, failed to attend the inquiry.

According to reports, former local government chairmen from Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, Ahoada West, and Eleme were also summoned by the commission, but they similarly declined the invitation.

Okocha defended his absence, claiming he had not received any official notice and dismissed the investigation as a “political witch-hunt,” adding that he was too important to be drawn into such a trap.

However, Rivers State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, expressed disappointment over the refusal of Wike and his allies to participate in the proceedings, stating that their absence hindered the investigation.

In early October, Fubara set up the seven-member panel led by Justice Ibiwengi Minakiri to probe the violence, killings, and destruction that followed the local government election. The unrest occurred after police officers, deployed to the councils, vacated their posts, leading to widespread vandalism and arson. Both the Fubara and Wike factions have blamed each other for the incident.

The commission had issued multiple notices to Wike, including a formal invitation through courier service and a public advertisement, urging him to appear before the panel on November 19, 2024.

At the conclusion of the panel’s session on Tuesday, Justice Minakiri expressed regret that Wike and other invited individuals had failed to attend or send legal representation. “Today was specifically set aside for the former governor to address some crucial points we needed clarified,” Minakiri stated. “But he did not show up. This is the last sitting, unless otherwise directed by His Excellency.”

The commission’s chairman noted the empty hall and the absence of key invitees, emphasizing that their failure to appear brought the panel’s sittings to an end.

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