By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, approached him with two All Progressives Congress (APC) governors in a bid to reconcile.
The revelation came during a press briefing in Abuja, where Wike stated: “I called him, warned him—he chose to ignore me.” The political standoff between the two former allies has continued to intensify since Fubara assumed office in 2023.
According to Wike, the visit from Fubara and the two APC governors was an appeal for peace. However, he emphasized that reconciliation must come with concrete steps, not mere words. “Yes, he came with two APC governors. He said he wants peace and I also want peace. But peace must be based on action,” Wike asserted.
The Rivers political crisis escalated to a national concern when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended Governor Fubara for six months, appointing a Sole Administrator to manage state affairs during the period. Wike suggested that Fubara brought the situation upon himself: “This is a self-inflicted injury. He didn’t need it.”
In addition to addressing the conflict, Wike defended the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, insisting there was no internal crisis. “There’s no problem with PDP in my state. Government is not the party, but it can work with the party,” he stated.
Wike also criticized economist Atedo Peterside over his comment describing some political appointees as “riff-raffs.” Wike rebuked the remark, saying, “PhD holders are now riff-raffs because they haven’t established banks? What has Peterside done for Rivers State?”
He concluded with a reflection on a conversation with the late Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, whom he encouraged to invest in the state. “He came back and said he would establish a world-class university,” Wike said, highlighting the importance of leaving a tangible legacy.
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