By Newsmata
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has spurned the intervention of the former leader of Niger Delta militia group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), in the feud between the immediate past governor of Rivers State, and his estranged political godson, the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that on the occasion of his 54th birthday last week, Tompolo had raised hopes for that Fubara would soon return to office as dialogue was ongoing to resolve the issues.
He had also thereafter appealed to Wike to forgive Fubara.
Pleading with the FCT minister “to bring his temper down” for the sake of peace, Tompolo drew an analogy between political rebellion and familial disobedience.
However, in his response to Tompolo’s overtures, Wike, in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesperson Lere Olayinka, queried the premise of his intervention, declaring that it lacked balance and a clear understanding of the issues at stake.
Olalere asserted that forgiveness is not a one-sided affair, and that the foundations of reconciliation must be laid by those who seek it.
According to him, “You don’t talk about forgiveness when the person who allegedly offended you hasn’t even come forward to ask for it.
“Let’s even assume Fubara offended the minister, has he acknowledged that offence? Has he made any genuine effort to reconcile? None of that has happened”.
Emphasiaing that Wike’s concerns were not rooted in personal grievances but in political principles and governance ethics, Olalere stated that “Wike has never accused Fubara of personal wrongdoing.
“His disappointment stems from a clear deviation from political loyalty and governance ideals. A man cannot turn his back on those who sacrificed for his rise and expect applause”.
Going down memory lane to recall how the political relationship between Wike and Fubara was forned, Olayinka pointedly asked: “At what point did Wike become the enemy? When he stood by Fubara, took political risks, and shielded him from attacks, he was a hero. What has changed, aside from power?”
Olalere concluded that public calls for peace, while noble in intent, must be grounded in truth and justice, stressing that”Without that, they risk legitimising disloyalty under the guise of unity”.