The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is already losing the ongoing political struggle between them.
Wike made this statement during a grand reception organized in his honor by the Kalabari people in Abalama, Port Harcourt, on Saturday, March 15.
He criticized the individuals surrounding Governor Fubara, claiming they are primarily those who previously aspired to become governor. According to Wike, he refused to align with these figures because he knew they did not have the best interests of the people at heart.
The FCT Minister further asserted that Fubara’s political struggles would only worsen in the coming days, as those advising him are doing so for their personal ambitions rather than the state’s welfare.
“Do you think you will succeed? They are giving you bad advice, and you can already see the consequences. You are down 2-0, and more defeats are coming. I have never seen politics played this way—where a leader surrounds himself with those eyeing his position,” Wike remarked.
Wike’s remarks come just days after he downplayed concerns over a possible impeachment of Governor Fubara.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on March 12, Wike stated that there was nothing unusual about a House of Assembly removing a governor for constitutional violations. He pointed out that withholding lawmakers’ salaries for months was a serious impeachable offence.
He insisted that as long as due process is followed, there would be no crisis if the governor is impeached. He also dismissed allegations that the lawmakers were acting out of personal interests, stating that if they were not committed to peace, they could have simply gone on a six-month recess after the Supreme Court judgment.
Despite the ongoing political rift, Wike maintains that he remains a loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is not directly involved in the Assembly’s decisions.
