Wike’s Aide to Okurounmu: strive to Hold Fubara accountable.

A senior adviser to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has urged Dr. Femi Okurounmu, a prominent Afenifere elder, to maintain his role as an elder statesman and avoid partisan commentary on the Rivers State crisis that could undermine his objectivity.

Olayinka’s remarks followed Okurounmu’s recent critique of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the ongoing tensions in Rivers State, where Governor Sim Fubara faces allegations of undermining the rule of law. Olayinka challenged Okurounmu to specify the actions he believes the president should take, questioning whether Tinubu’s silence constitutes negligence.

“It’s surprising that Dr. Okurounmu, as a former Senator, would overlook Governor Fubara’s continual defiance of court orders. This disregard for judicial authority poses significant risks to democracy and governance,” Olayinka stated.

He further highlighted that Okurounmu himself was the first Senator suspended by his colleagues, out of seven suspensions since 1999. He suggested Okurounmu’s comments could be better directed toward encouraging Fubara to respect democratic processes and court decisions.

Addressing claims that Wike is driving the Rivers crisis, Olayinka noted that Wike never aimed to control Fubara, despite public perceptions. He questioned whether Okurounmu, as an elder, truly examined the factors contributing to Fubara’s rise to power.

“Elders are expected to mediate impartially, listening to all sides. In Yorubaland, we value balance in conflict resolution, not assigning blame from afar, as Dr. Okurounmu appears to be doing,” Olayinka added.

Olayinka criticized Governor Fubara for allegedly circumventing democratic practices, including his disregard for a recent Court of Appeal ruling that invalidated the state budget, which Fubara continued to implement. He suggested that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democratic integrity.

The adviser also questioned the origin of violence in Rivers State, asking if Wike was responsible for the fire that recently disrupted operations at the Rivers State House of Assembly, which has prevented legislators from performing their duties. He noted that only three of the 32 Assembly members currently participate in legislative functions, a situation Olayinka described as constitutionally questionable.

In response to Okurounmu’s statements about the president’s perceived inaction, Olayinka posed a rhetorical question: “What does Dr. Okurounmu expect from President Tinubu? Is he suggesting that the president should disregard judicial rulings and endorse Governor Fubara’s unconstitutional actions?”

Olayinka emphasized that as an elder, Okurounmu’s influence should be aimed at supporting accountability and stability, urging him to shift his focus from criticism of Tinubu to advocating for Governor Fubara’s adherence to democratic and legal principles.