A firestorm of accusations has erupted in Rivers State as Asari Dokubo, a prominent Niger Delta figure and traditional ruler, alleges that a recent reception held for Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike was a calculated attempt to orchestrate violence and falsely implicate him.
Dokubo, through his palace spokesperson Daerefa-a Braide, released a scathing statement following an interview with journalists, claiming that intelligence reports had forewarned of a deliberate plot to provoke unrest and blame his private security personnel, Royal Fouche Security Services Ltd.
He asserted that he had preemptively exposed the alleged scheme on social media and withdrawn his security guards from the Emohua-Kalabari Road to prevent any potential escalation. “We heard rumors that some Kalabari people working with the FCT Minister were planning a reception for him. But beneath this so-called reception was a scheme to entangle us; the Royal Fouche Security Services, in a premeditated crisis, where they had intended to attack themselves and falsely accuse us of instigating the violence,” Dokubo stated.
He further questioned the organisers’ decision to proceed with the event despite warnings from the Abalama traditional ruler regarding security concerns, suggesting “ulterior motives” behind the gathering.
Dokubo strongly condemned the use of force against unarmed female protesters, including his sister, House of Representatives member Boma Goodhead, who were demonstrating against Wike’s visit. He denounced Wike’s “reckless” and “provocative” statements about the Ijaw people, vowing that the Ijaw community would respond “appropriately” in due time.
He also launched a scathing attack on Ijaw politicians aligned with Wike, accusing them of “selling out” their people for personal gain and predicting a “day of reckoning.” Dokubo further painted Wike as a “serial betrayer,” warning President Bola Tinubu to be wary of his influence.
Turning to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, Dokubo criticized the Supreme Court, accusing it of “judicial overreach” and “handing out rulings like gifts.” He specifically questioned the court’s intervention in local government matters and its preemptive ruling on the defection of 27 House of Assembly members.
He criticized Governor Fubara’s quick implementation of the controversial local government ruling, and dismissed Wike’s threats as “empty bluster.”
The monarch, also known by his traditional title Dabaye Amakiri I, questioned why the event organizers disregarded the warnings of the traditional ruler of Abalama, who had advised against the reception due to security concerns.
