Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he is open to forgiving Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but only if the governor approaches the matter with true sincerity.
Wike, speaking during a media chat on April 18 in Abuja, said reconciliation is possible, but not without a genuine effort from his estranged political successor. In his words: “Sincerely.”
The political standoff between Wike and Fubara has caused considerable disruption within Rivers State, intensifying tensions and leading to a major crisis in the state legislature.
The ongoing disagreement between the former and current governors reportedly stems from a struggle over control of Rivers State’s political and structural machinery.
According to previous reports from Channels Television, this power tussle led to the defection of 27 lawmakers from the state House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following their suspension from the legislative body.
Wike disclosed that two state governors had approached him in an effort to broker peace between him and Fubara. While he confirmed he was open to resolving their differences, he emphasized that sincerity must form the foundation of any reconciliation attempt.
“These two governors came to me and I said, ‘look, I am here for peace. What does he want?’ and they said, ‘look, we will do everything.’”
“In sincerity, if anybody comes, it must be in sincerity. The best opportunity was when the President intervened,” Wike added.
The FCT Minister supported President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. According to Wike, this measure was essential to prevent the complete breakdown of law and order in the region.
Although Wike admitted that his preference was for Governor Fubara’s outright removal, he acknowledged that the president’s appointment of a sole administrator was a necessary alternative to preserve stability.
Profile: Nyesom Wike
Nyesom Wike currently serves as Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. A former Governor of Rivers State, Wike is known for his no-nonsense approach to governance and his considerable influence within the national political space.
During his time as governor, he prioritized infrastructural development and public sector reforms. His political career has been marked by bold decisions and headline-grabbing alliances.
Profile: Siminalayi Fubara
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike’s successor, is at the center of the unfolding political crisis in Rivers State. His time in office has been marred by internal conflicts over political control, which eventually led to mass defections in the State Assembly and wider instability.
