ABUJA/Nigeria: Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of plotting to block funds allocated to the 22 Local Government Councils in Rivers State. Frank claimed that Wike, alongside his allies, intends to secure a court injunction to stop the release of funds from the Federation Account to the local councils.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Frank disclosed that Wike had resorted to this plan after failing to prevent the recent local government elections in Rivers State, which were successfully held on Saturday, 5th October 2024. The political activist alleged that Wike, acting through proxies, plans to approach a Federal High Court in Abuja with a request to halt the monthly allocations to the councils, citing a violation of a court ruling in relation to the elections.
Frank, a vocal Bayelsa-born politician, urged Wike to abandon the alleged plot for the sake of the people of Rivers State and to resolve his differences with the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara, through other means. He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, warning that such a move could tarnish the president’s democratic legacy. Frank drew parallels between the current situation and the actions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who withheld funds from local councils in Lagos State during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot afford to stand by and watch as Wike attempts to undermine democracy in Rivers State and Nigeria at large,” Frank stated. He emphasised the importance of preventing a repeat of the Lagos scenario, where local council funds were seized during Obasanjo’s administration, leading to significant disruption.
Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, issued a stern warning to members of the judiciary, cautioning them against granting any “frivolous” injunctions that could further Wike’s agenda. He urged judges not to succumb to pressures that could undermine the democratic process for personal gain.
In addition, Frank criticised the role of the police in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, accusing them of siding with the ruling APC rather than maintaining impartiality. He called on law enforcement to protect the interests of all Rivers citizens rather than favouring any political faction.
Frank warned that Wike’s alleged manoeuvre could lead to economic instability in Rivers State and threaten the democratic advancements Nigeria has made since 1999. “Any action capable of disrupting democracy, especially in light of recent events in some West African countries, must be avoided,” he cautioned.
He further praised the people of Rivers State for successfully electing their local government officials, following a Supreme Court ruling mandating the democratisation of all local councils in Nigeria. He assured them that any attempt to reverse this democratic progress would be met with resistance.
In his closing remarks, Frank urged Governor Fubara to remain focused despite the political challenges and commended the people of Rivers for their continued support of their governor and elected officials.
