By Divine Sam
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declined to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Government to investigate the post-election violence that followed the local government elections in October 2024. This violence involved incidents of arson, killings, and property destruction across the state.
The seven-member panel, led by Justice Ibiwengi Minakiri, was tasked with probing these violent events, with a timeline of one month to complete its investigation. Invitations were sent to Wike through both a courier service and a newspaper advertorial, specifically requesting him to appear before the commission on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The session was designated exclusively for Wike’s appearance, as the panel sought clarification on certain issues regarding the violence.
Despite the formal invitation, Wike did not attend the hearing, leaving the panel to wrap up its sitting without his testimony. Justice Minakiri expressed disappointment over Wike’s absence, stressing that his input was crucial for addressing unresolved aspects of the investigation. She also noted that the commission had reserved the day solely for Wike’s appearance, and his failure to attend marked the conclusion of the session, unless directed otherwise by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Furthermore, Tony Okocha, the recently dismissed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, along with other invitees, also failed to appear before the panel. Despite this, Justice Minakiri confirmed that the commission would proceed with its report submission, regardless of the non-compliance by some key figures. No official statements have been released by Wike or the other absentees regarding their absence.
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