Wike’s Aide Responds To Afenifere Leader Okurounmu’s Criticism Of Tinubu’s Role In Rivers Crisis

Wike’s Aide Responds To Afenifere Leader Okurounmu’s Criticism Of Tinubu’s Role In Rivers CrisisLere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has responded sharply to Afenifere chieftain Dr. Femi Okurounmu’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State. Olayinka accused Okurounmu of making statements that could undermine his reputation as an elder statesman and urged him to be more careful with his public remarks.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Okurounmu had recently criticized President Tinubu for allegedly being passive in addressing the political turmoil in Rivers, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara is accused of ignoring court orders. Olayinka, in his response, questioned what Okurounmu expected President Tinubu to do, suggesting that the elder statesman’s comments lacked objectivity.

“I’m surprised that a former senator like Dr. Okurounmu would seemingly overlook the fact that Governor Fubara has been openly defying the judiciary, which is a direct threat to democracy and public order,” Olayinka said. “In fact, it is no surprise considering that Okurounmu holds the dubious distinction of being the first senator to be suspended by his colleagues, a record still unbroken since 1999.”

In his remarks, Dr. Okurounmu had alleged that Wike was the mastermind behind the political unrest in Rivers State, even insinuating that Wike was trying to control Governor Fubara as his “surrogate.” In response, Olayinka asked, “When did Wike ever tell Dr. Okurounmu that he wanted Governor Fubara to be his surrogate? If anything, Dr. Okurounmu should reflect on his own role in Fubara’s rise to power.”

Olayinka also pointed out that Okurounmu, as an elder, should have sought to understand both sides of the conflict before making sweeping statements. He criticized Okurounmu for his one-sided approach, saying, “In Yorubaland, elders are supposed to mediate, not sit in their rooms and assign blame without listening to both sides. Did Wike go to the Rivers State House of Assembly and set it on fire? Did Wike manipulate the assembly by using just three members out of 32 to pass the state budget and confirm commissioners?”

Olayinka further questioned Dr. Okurounmu’s stance on the ongoing legal battles involving Governor Fubara, referencing the October 2024 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which nullified the Rivers 2024 budget that Governor Fubara had been operating without adhering to the court’s judgment. “Has Dr. Okurounmu not seen the growing lawlessness in Rivers State under Governor Fubara?” Olayinka asked.

Regarding Okurounmu’s critique of President Tinubu’s response to the Rivers crisis, Olayinka pointedly asked, “What exactly does Dr. Okurounmu want President Tinubu to do? Should he overrule judicial decisions and support Governor Fubara’s lawlessness?”

Olayinka’s response underscores the ongoing tension over the handling of Rivers State’s political crisis and the broader implications for governance and the rule of law in Nigeria.

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