As political tensions persist in Rivers State, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has signalled a willingness to reconcile with Governor Siminalayi Fubara — but only if the governor makes the first “sincere” move.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike was asked if he would forgive his estranged political protégé. His response: “Sincerely.”
Wike disclosed that behind-the-scenes efforts were underway to resolve the political rift, noting that two unnamed governors had approached him to mediate peace.
“These two governors came to me and I said, ‘Look, I’m here for peace. What does he want?’ They said, ‘We will do everything.’ But it has to be sincere. The best opportunity was when the President intervened,” he said.
The feud between Wike and Fubara has escalated in recent months, rooted in a struggle for dominance over Rivers’ political machinery.
The clash intensified when 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, deepening the crisis.
On the federal government’s response, Wike expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.
Although he admitted he had hoped for Fubara’s removal, he acknowledged the president’s move as necessary to prevent anarchy.
READ ALSO: Wike says Fubara must seek forgiveness
“As a politician, I’m not happy with the declaration of emergency rule. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the President made the right call,” he said.
Wike also defended the appointment of a sole administrator to manage the state’s affairs, saying the measure prevented total collapse.
“The matter is in court, but the truth must be told — the governor was gone. It’s not my job to make things easy for him. As a politician, my role isn’t to ensure his comfort. That’s the nature of power,” he added.
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