A resolution to the political impasse in Rivers State appears imminent after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, downplayed the rift between himself and the embattled state governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Wike maintained that Fubara is still his “political son,” denying any direct conflict between them.
Speaking in an interview with BBC News Pidgin yesterday, Wike clarified that his dispute was not with Fubara personally, but rather with individuals he accused of influencing the governor against him. He also dismissed speculation that he intends to challenge President Bola Tinubu for the presidency in 2027 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The FCT minister reiterated his stance, stating, he cannot fight his own son, while emphasising that the real conflict lies with those allegedly manipulating Fubara’s position.
Wike said: “That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy; he is my son; why will I fight with him?
“I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for.
“When you don’t defeat them; they will think you….. Defeat them to the final stage.
“Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”
Wike and Fubara have been locked in a political feud since 2023, deepening instability in Rivers State.
Reports emerged that Fubara—suspended by President Tinubu after the declaration of a state of emergency—visited Wike to apologize.
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a Rivers elder and founding PANDEF spokesperson, called Fubara’s overture “a necessary sacrifice for peace.”
Speaking in reaction to the meeting, Sara-Igbe said the suspended governor had consistently shown a desire for peace, contrary to what he described as Wike’s combative stance.
“That discussion is not for public consumption, except the FCT Minister wants to make it public,” Sara-Igbe stated. “At the end of the day, we’ll hear the result.”
He lauded Governor Fubara’s move, emphasising that peace often requires personal sacrifices.
In another development, Wike has debunked insinuations that he would pick the presidential ticket of the PDP to battle against President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
There have been speculations that Wike was nursing the ambition to pick the presidential ticket of the PDP if the main opposition party zones its presidential ticket to southern Nigeria.
However, the former Rivers State governor said he would not contest against his boss.
Asked if he would contest if the main opposition party zones its ticket to the South, Wike simply said: “I will not contest.
“Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” Wike queried.
When the interviewer further asked him if he believed that President Tinubu would win the 2027 election, Wike said there was nobody in the opposition to challenge the President.
“They said they will zone it to the South; let them zone first. When we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it,” he added.
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