Sack Magu Now-Wike

Government House activities last week took off on a serious note when Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, called on the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo to sack the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu for freezing the accounts of both Benue and Akwa Ibom State governments.
The Governor, at a press briefing in Government House, Port Harcourt last Thursday, noted that freezing the accounts of the two state governments is more grievous than the recent invasion of the National Assembly by the sacked Director-General of DSS, Lawan Daura.
“I am calling for the sack of Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu for overthrowing a tier of government. The mere fact that the two accounts have been reopened does not mean that a crime was not committed.
“When you freeze the account of the state government, you have overthrown that government. Without funds, a state cannot function. This means the shut-down of government business at Executive, Legislative and Judiciary in the affected state”, Wike said.
He said if the former D-G of DSS could be sacked for overthrowing just one arm of federal government, then the boss of EFCC should be prosecuted for overthrowing the two tiers of government in the affected two states.
The governor described the EFCC’s action as the worst coup against the constitution and the law-abiding people in the states.
“If you are sacking Lawan Daura for coup at the National Assembly, what will you do with a man who overthrew two state governments through two separate coups?, he asked, lamenting that APC-led Federal Government has enthroned a culture of impunity using security agencies to destroy democracy.
He said invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of DSS was a clear indication that the nation’s democracy is under threat as a result of the military-terrorist style of the present administration and urged well-meaning Nigerians to speak up to avoid truncating our democracy.
He said: “Just one week ago, they laid siege and locked the Benue State House of Assembly. To the chagrin of all Nigerians, they invaded the beacon of democracy at the Federal level”.
Wike congratulated members of the National Assembly especially the leadership for remaining resolute.
The sad news of the death of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) was a rude shock that affected Government House on Friday.
Wike, who received the news with rude shock led members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to late Aguma family house at Ogbunabail in Port Harcourt.
He commiserated with the bereaved family for the loss and ordered that flags fly at half-mast for two days in honour of the legal luminary.
Prominent individuals and top government officials have been trooping to Government House to sign the condolence register.
The Attorney-General died Friday in a London Hospital.
Wile also commiserated with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon Seriake Dickson over the passage of his mother, Mrs Goldcoast Dickson.
He said that late Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson contributed positively to the development of the society and particularly raised worthy children like the Bayelsa State Governor.
Wike prayed God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Chris Oluoh