The presidency has reacted to the political crisis brewing in Rivers State between Governor Sim Fubara and 25 members of the state assembly.

Recall that the Rivers State High Court issued a restraining order against the 25 members who decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 from parading themselves as lawmakers.

The 25 affected lawmakers are loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the current FCT minister and immediate-past governor of Rivers State.

Sequel to the order, Governor Fubara signed an executive order for the relocation of the sittings of the assembly to the Government House in Port Harcourt over safety concerns.

But presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said President Bola Tinubu will not take side with either Fubara or Wike.

Ngelale noted anyone with the belief that President Tinubu would take their side in the political crisis would be disappointed. 

According to Ngelale, President Tinubu won’t allow any attempt to frustrate the Rivers government.

“I believe that anyone who believes that by their actions, whether it’s from the federal level, state level or the legislative branch in the state or the executive branch in the state, if they are banking on Mr. President to take sides on this matter, they’re mistaking and they’ll be disappointed,” Ngelale said.

“I Mr. President will not do that. What he will do is to ensure that everybody has what they need in order to work.

“He will also ensure that any attempt to frustrate the operation of the Rivers State government in conducting its affairs in a way that it would benefit the Rivers people, that’s obviously is not going to be allowed by this President or anybody else.

“So, I think there’s a need for all stakeholders to understand that Mr President won’t take sides,” he added.