The political tension in Rivers State continues to escalate as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared his willingness to forgive Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but only if his former political protégé approaches him with sincerity and humility.
Speaking during a media parley on Friday in Abuja, Wike, who governed Rivers for eight years before Fubara succeeded him, opened up on the increasingly public rift between the two a feud that has fractured the state’s political structure and thrown its legislative arm into chaos.
“If He Comes Sincerely, I’ll Forgive Him”
When asked if he could forgive Fubara, Wike responded directly:
“Sincerely.”
The response, though simple, carries significant weight in a political rivalry that has seen deepening division, particularly over the control of Rivers State’s political machinery and influence over key appointments.
Wike revealed that two unnamed governors had approached him in a bid to reconcile both parties. He emphasized that he welcomed peace efforts but stressed that any resolution must come with genuine intent from Fubara.
“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.”
The fallout between the two leaders has created ripple effects throughout the state. 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, previously loyal to Wike, have since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further widening the power tussle.
This development has significantly weakened Fubara’s grip on the legislature, raising concerns about executive-legislative dysfunction in the state.
Wike also weighed in on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, following the protracted conflict. Though he personally wished for Governor Fubara’s removal, Wike acknowledged that the president’s decision to impose emergency rule and appoint a sole administrator was aimed at preventing the state from descending into chaos.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy.”
Despite ongoing legal battles regarding the legitimacy of certain actions and appointments, Wike was clear about his position:
“The matter is in court, but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable.”
The crisis in Rivers is no longer just a local affair it has taken on national significance, drawing in party leaders, state executives, and the presidency. With Wike and Fubara still on opposing ends, the fate of governance in one of Nigeria’s most oil-rich and politically influential states hangs in the balance.
Whether Fubara chooses to heed Wike’s conditional offer of reconciliation remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that without sincere dialogue, the political uncertainty in Rivers may continue with far-reaching consequences.
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