Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised concerns about a supposed scheme by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The purpose is to prevent the release of funds from the Federation Account to 22 local government areas in Rivers State.
In a statement released recently, Frank alleged that Wike and his associates, who are said to be against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have come up with this plan following their unsuccessful attempt to stop the smooth local government elections held in the state on October 5, 2024.
Frank stated that Wike’s associates are planning to go to a court in Abuja to ask for a freeze on the monthly funds given to the local government areas (LGAs) in Rivers State.
The claim in the petition will be that the elections went against a previous court decision. Frank advised Wike to reconsider this action for the sake of the people of Rivers State, suggesting that he should resolve any issues with Governor Fubara differently.
He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevent Wike from harming his reputation in democracy by influencing a court ruling similar to the one that affected local councils in Lagos during Tinubu’s time as governor under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Lastly, Frank cautioned the judiciary against entertaining unfounded petitions that serve Wike’s interests.
Frank criticized the police for taking sides in the state’s political issues and asked them to protect all residents of Rivers State fairly.bHe highlighted the economic impact of stopping funds for local governments and how it could harm Nigeria’s democratic progress since 1999.
Frank cautioned that trying to suppress democracy in Rivers State could lead to more problems and undo the progress made.
Frank said, “The people of Rivers State have elected their council representatives in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandated the democratization of all LGAs in Nigeria. Any attempt to undermine this will be resisted.”
He advised Governor Fubara to stay on track and praised the people of Rivers State for a peaceful and successful election.
, Comrade Timi Frank, has raised concerns about a supposed scheme by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.){kind=link}