Wike’s ally, Nwanosike, who called Fubara ‘foolish governor’, appointed by Ibas

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s ally and former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council in Rivers State, Samuel Nwanosike, has bagged an appointment from Sole Administrator Ibok-Ette Ibas.

Nwanosike, an unapologetic follower of Wike, has been appointed Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

A terse statement issued by Prof Ibibia Lucky Worika, Secretary to the State Government, sighted by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), read:

“His Excellency, Vice Admiral ( Rtd) Ebok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, Administrator of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of ENGR. SAMUEL NWANOSIKE Ph.D as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

“The appointment takes effect from April 11th, 2025.”

DDM notes that the appointee was a polarizing figure in the political feud between Wike and suspended Governor Siminalaye Fubara.

He was quoted as calling Fubara a foolish Governor.

“They want to pay good for evil. That lie would not stand. Let it be put on record, under Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, more Ijaw sons and daughters have been given greater political appointments in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“So today, Fubara is a foolish governor, he’s not a mumu Governor but a foolish governor because since he took office on 29 May (2023) he has done nothing for Rivers People.

“When Mr Wike took office, from the first day in office he started operation zero potholes.

“Fubara should tell us what projects he has done other than carrying our money and paying bribes to insult Mr Wike,” Mr Nwanosike said.

He accused Governor Fubara of sponsoring insecurity in Abuja to spite President Bola Tinubu to remove Mr Wike from office.

“He sent people to go and tell Abuja that Mr Wike is playing politics in Rivers State (while) they are doing kidnappings in Abuja. It means that Mr Fubara is part of those supporting the kidnapping in Abuja because he wants Mr Wike to leave office.

“Wike will not leave office. Tinubu is aware of who he appointed. Mr Tinubu is happy that Mr Wike is delivering the dividends of democracy.

“Mr Wike is the pride of Rivers people. We are challenging anybody to tell us if he can beat the record of Mr Wike.

“Governor Fubara is very naïve. He does not know what governance is all about. If he knows what governance is all about by now he would have taken Rivers State local government by local government,” Mr Nwanosike added.

His vituperations attracted a barrage of attacks from commentators.

Though he later withdrew the statement, Nwanosike remained at the forefront, mobilizing support against the Fubara administartion.

He led some demonstrations seeking the impeachment of the governor.

Ibas: Accused of favouring Wike’s allies

Meanwhile, Ibas, in the past 48 hours, approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

This comes less that 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly restrained him from appointing administrators to oversea the affairs of the local government councils.

The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.

The sole administrator also approved the constitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals which he had earlier suspended.

The approval was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.

Though the names of the new appointees were not listed, the statement said the appointments takes immediate effect.

It reads, “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended.

“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”

Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect.

In a separate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.

The sole administrator according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately.

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