The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has opened up about his recent meeting with the embattled Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. He details how the governor came to seek reconciliation amidst the ongoing political crisis rocking the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike confirmed that Fubara visited him in the company of two All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to plead for peace following months of political tension between them.
“Yes, he came with two governors. Unfortunately, they are APC governors. I won’t pursue him. He said he wants peace, and I also want peace,” Wike said.
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Wike emphasized that despite his willingness to accept the olive branch, he questioned Fubara’s sincerity in genuinely wanting peace.
“I told him, ‘I don’t think you have the capacity to really make peace. It’s not easy. If you’re seeking peace, your people shouldn’t be demonstrating daily or going on television to insult others,’” the former Rivers governor stated.
The fallout between Wike and Fubara began shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023, despite being Wike’s political protégé. The situation escalated to the point where President Bola Tinubu intervened, reportedly suspending Fubara and declaring a state of emergency in the state, appointing a Sole Administrator temporarily.
Despite these tensions, Wike said he yielded to President Tinubu’s repeated calls for peace.
“The President had called for peace severally, and I can’t sit down and say no when the President has called for peace,” he added.
Wike maintained that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State is not in crisis, saying the issues lie within the governance structure and not the party.
“We don’t have a problem with PDP in my state. Government is not the party, but it can work with the party. So there is no problem with PDP in Rivers,” he said.
Responding to comments made by Atedo Peterside, who described Fubara’s appointees as “riff-raffs,” Wike said such statements were extreme and unfair.
“Saying PhD holders are riff-raffs because they couldn’t establish a bank is too extreme. When we made Fubara governor, where was Peterside’s contribution? He’s from Opobo LGA.”
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Wike also mentioned a past conversation with the late Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO of Access Bank, urging him to contribute more directly to the development of Rivers State.
“I asked Wigwe what he had done for Rivers State despite flying in regularly from Lagos. He returned weeks later and told me he would set up a world-class university,” Wike recalled.
As tensions continue to simmer in Rivers politics, Wike insists that peace is achievable—but only if Fubara and his supporters match their words with sincere action.
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