Wike Denies Rift With Fubara, Says Governor Is Still His ‘Son’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says he has no personal issues with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

He spoke in a recent interview published in Pidgin. People have been speculating that both men no longer get along. Wike dismissed the rumours.

“That one is not a battle,” he said. “He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son. Why will I fight with him?”

Wike explained that he is not fighting Fubara directly. According to him, some individuals are trying to control the governor for their own gain.

“I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for,” Wike said. “When you don’t defeat them, they will think they are in charge. Defeat them to the final stage. Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”

Wike and Fubara were once political allies. He played a pivotal role in helping bring Fubara to power; even he has asserted that. However, recent events in Rivers State have torn the two allies apart.

Wike recently had a media chat with journalists in Abuja, where he confirmed that Governor Fubara had reached out to him. The governor was reportedly seeking reconciliation after President Bola Tinubu booted him out of office, and temporarily replaced him with a retired naval general as the Sole Administrator of the state.

“The President has called for peace severally and I cannot sit down when the President has called for peace and I say, ‘I don’t want peace,’” Wike said.

“Yes, he came with two governors and one elder person. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors. So, I will not pursue him. He said he wants peace. That’s fine. I also want peace.”

Wike’s recent statements suggest he is open to peace, but apparently remains firm on certain conditions he expects the governor to meet.

Observers say resolving the conflict is necessary to bring stability to the state’s governance and restore the prospects for the once flourishing oil rich, culturally diverse state.

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