News

Wike denies GOC’s bribery allegation

Published

7 years ago

May 22, 2019

Eric

The disagreement between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem, took a fresh turn on Wednesday when the governor dismissed the claim that he attempted to bribe the GOC.

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt had earlier risen in defence of the GOC, who the governor accused of involvement in illegal oil bunkering, maintaining that the governor made moves to bribe Sarhem with billions of naira.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, alleged that the refusal of the GOC to be bought over and compromise the 2019 election was the reason behind the governor’s criticism against Sarhem.

But speaking while announcing the dissolution of the Rivers State Executive Council, Wike stated that the Peoples Democratic Party defeated Sarhem and his political party during the 2019 general elections.

The governor also described the bribery allegation against him by the GOC as false and a mere face-saving measure.

He said that the GOC recently appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Army, but never made any allegation because nothing like that took place.

Wike insisted that the GOC runs an oil bunkering scheme, which he (Wike) said could not be swept away by flimsy allegations.

“They say they will remove me through the tribunal, but we defeated them during the elections. If it is to conduct elections, they will never win. Someone who says he never met me before and has never been to Government House would now say I am fighting him because I tried to bribe him with billions of naira.

“The GOC has been fully involved in oil bunkering. He should explain his involvement instead of the false allegation. The House of Representatives Committee on Army was here, he could not say he was bribed. He is saying this because he is involved in oil bunkering.

“They know it is correct. It was an election that we defeated you and your party; why would I have to pay a bribe? We defeated you in that election. The man you have not met; how could he have offered to bribe you?”

He thanked members of the former Rivers State Executive Council for their contributions to the development of Rivers State.

“It has been a rewarding experience and I am quite impressed that one worked with these persons of capacity. All the achievements we recorded were made possible because you worked,” Wike said.

Earlier in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, the security outfit had challenged Wike to provide the public with any evidence of any meetings with Maj. Gen. Sarham in attendance.

“Wike’s allegation against Major General Sarham’s selfish involvement in illegal oil bunkering is another reckless, spurious and mischievous accusation. Hence, Headquarters 6 Division wishes to request the governor to take the most civilised way of putting up a petition to the relevant authorities to make a point.

“Mr. Wike’s resentment against the GOC is based on the latter’s choice of professionalism and integrity over the billions of naira offered to him by the governor to compromise the 2019 general elections.

“His (GOC) refusal to be bought over and the rejection of such hefty offer is the genesis of Wike’s hatred and vociferous criticisms against Maj. Gen. Sarham,” the statement read.

News

Two Rivers Lawmakers Step Down from Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Sue for Peace

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

Eric

Two members of the Rivers House of Assembly, who are loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have withdrawn from the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.

The Minority Leader of the assembly, Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, urged their colleagues to exercise restraint and allow for dialogue to maintain stability in the state

In a video widely circulated on Facebook and an excerpt published by Rivers State Television, the lawmakers urged their colleagues to prioritise the overall interest and stability of Rivers above partisan disagreements.

Call for ‘cooling-off period’

The legislators stressed that the prevailing political climate demands calm, dialogue and a “cooling-off period” within the assembly to allow, in their words, “wisdom and truth to prevail” in the legislative chambers.

Although they did not expressly mention the impeachment process during the briefing, their intervention is being interpreted by political observers as a withdrawal from the impeachment push against Mr Fubara, which has heightened tensions in the state.

Background to impeachment moves

The Rivers assembly parted ways with Mr Fubara because of the feud between the governor and Mr Wike, who is the FCT minister.

The current impeachment notice on Mr Fubara is the third attempt in less than three years to remove the governor. The previous efforts had split the legislature into two factions, causing President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspend the governor, the deputy governor, and the lawmakers.

The lawmakers accused the governor of constitutional breaches and administrative misconduct, allegations his supporters have dismissed as politically motivated.

Source: Premium Times

News

I Won’t Surrender Rivers N700bn IGR to Anyone, Fubara Vows

Published

6 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has resisted alleged pressure to hand over N700 billion, representing 35% of the State’s internally generated revenue (IGR), to anyone, sparking a heated power struggle with former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister.

The dispute has raised concerns about the welfare of Rivers State residents, with 4.4 million people living in multidimensional poverty.

The feud between Fubara and Wike, who unilaterally chose Fubara as his successor, has escalated into violent confrontations, defections, and legal battles.

Wike has threatened to make Rivers State “ungovernable” if Fubara fails comply, while his supporters have vowed to “deal with” Fubara.

In response, Fubara has warned that he cannot be intimidated, saying: “Rivers State is not a playground” and that he’s prepared to defend the state’s interest.

His supporters have also threatened to mobilise protests against Wike and his allies.

The crisis had paralysed governance, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month emergency rule in the State last year.

The situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining their respective stance.

The outcome will have significant implications for Rivers State and Nigerian politics.

The dispute highlights concerns about godfatherism in Nigerian politics and its impact on governance.

Wike has accused Fubara of ingratitude, while Fubara sees the former’s demands as an attempt to undermine his authority.

News

Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara

Published

6 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The legislature kicked off the process at plenary on Thursday.

The lawmakers are accusing Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, is presiding over the session.

The day’s proceedings bear the imprimatur of renewed hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On December 5, 2025, a horde of the Rivers assembly lawmakers led by the speaker, announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Days later, Fubara formalised his own switch from the PDP to the APC.

However, the sabre-rattling and thinly veiled remarks between Wike and Fubara, which culminated in the declaration of emergency rule in the state in March 2025, have persisted.

Most of the Rivers lawmakers have stayed loyal to Wike.

TheCable