Despite warnings and threats from supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made a bold return to Port Harcourt on Saturday, receiving an enthusiastic reception. However, political activist Timi Frank has called for an urgent investigation into Wike’s alleged involvement in the killing of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Bako Angbashim in Rivers State.
Honourable Boma Goodhead, a House of Representatives member, and other protesters had previously dared Wike to set foot in Rivers State, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene. Nevertheless, Wike, accompanied by notable figures, including Senator Barry Mpigi, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Minister of State for Petroleum Heineken Lokpobiri, Rivers State House of Assembly members, and local government chairmen, chose to return, defying the warnings.
As Wike made his return, a video surfaced showing Fubara being celebrated by a live band, reminiscent of the reception Wike received months ago. Fubara, while launching a 20,000 housing project, mirrored the platform Wike frequently used to showcase his political prowess with live bands and enthusiastic crowds.
In a parallel development, Timi Frank has urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, to investigate Wike’s alleged complicity in the killing of DPO Bako Angbashim. Frank called for the scrutiny of federal lawmakers implicated in the killing, along with an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the alleged diversion of $300 million from Rivers State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Angbashim, a Superintendent of Police, met a tragic end during a raid in the Odemude community, prompting nationwide condemnation. Goodhead, at a protest rally, accused Wike and federal lawmakers of orchestrating the DPO’s killing and claimed the governor diverted funds intended for Ogoni cleanup. Frank stressed the necessity of an impartial investigation to ascertain the truth and called on Tinubu to establish a judicial panel for justice.
