As political tensions continue to simmer in Rivers State, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hinted at the possibility of reconciliation with his estranged political godson and successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara — but only if Fubara takes the first sincere step.
During a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike was asked whether he would forgive Fubara if the governor sought it. His response was brief, but telling: “Sincerely.”
Wike revealed that efforts have been made behind the scenes to mediate the crisis. According to him, two unnamed governors had approached him in a bid to broker peace between the warring factions.
“These two governors came to me and I said, ‘look, I am here for peace. What does he want?’ and they said, ‘look, we will do everything.’
“In sincerity, if anybody comes, it must be in sincerity. The best opportunity was when the President intervened,” he said.
The rift between Wike and Fubara has grown deeper in recent months, stemming from a fierce struggle for control over the state’s political structure and resources. The standoff spilled into the state legislature, where 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further intensifying the power tussle.
In a related development, Wike has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. He acknowledged that, though he personally wished for Fubara’s removal, the President’s action was a necessary step to prevent the state from descending into chaos.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state,” Wike stated.
He also justified Tinubu’s appointment of a sole administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers, arguing that the move saved the state from total collapse.
“The matter is in court but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not on my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power plane,” he added.
