In a not-so-surprising turn of events, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly declared that he will no longer offer any political support to his former ally and godson, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Wike made it clear that his support for Fubara has come to a permanent end, marking a significant shift in the political dynamics within the Rivers State political landscape.
Wike’s bold stance against Fubara comes amidst rising tensions within the People's Democratic Party (PDP), particularly among those whom Wike believes are working to undermine his influence and political relevance within Rivers State. Wike has accused certain factions within the party, especially some PDP governors, of attempting to reduce his political authority in the state and throughout Nigeria.
He has made it clear that any attempt to diminish his stature politically will be met with strong opposition, and he has vowed to bring political unrest to the states of those attempting to marginalize him. Speaking on Friday night during a live interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” a popular political show monitored in Abuja, Wike did not mince words.
In his own words, Wike said, “I will never support Fubara in my political life again. I won’t do that. That’s one thing people should know me for. I don’t double deal. It is not about me. People laboured to put up a structure where you wouldn’t have even taken the 50th position. I sacrificed to talk to the Ogonis and others, and now you turned it that I am asking for N20 billion, N100 billion. You brought up lies against me.”
He continued, “I brought you up, pushed you here, put you there, and today they now say Wike is over-demanding. What is Wike demanding? You rose through people. You rose through somewhere. Why do you deny it? It is unfair.”
Wike also took aim at the PDP governors, saying, “I said to the PDP Governors Forum, and I repeat without any apology to anybody who is anywhere: heaven will never fall. In fact, when heaven falls, there will be peace.” He emphasized that he had longstanding relationships with many of the current governors, except for the governor of Zamfara, whom he claims to have no personal or political connection with.
He also spoke about the alleged plans to take over the political structure in Rivers State, adding, “You mean that you want to violate our constitution? You came out of your meeting, led by the governor of Bauchi State, who is the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, and said you are going to make sure that their brother will take over the structure in Rivers State whether legal or otherwise. And you think, as FCT Minister, I should fold my arms because you are a governor? Same governor I have been? You are trying to put fire in my state politically.”
In another stunning revelation, Wike stated that he will not be backing the candidate of his party in the September 21 Governorship Election in Edo State, further signaling a deepening divide within the PDP and highlighting his ongoing disputes with the party’s leadership.
