FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said he wanted the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara removed from office as against the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking with some select journalists from some broadcast stations in Abuja on Friday, Wike emphasised that the measure was not the resolution he had hoped for to end the raging political crisis.
“I am not happy with the state of emergency,” Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, said as he reflected on the political climate that has been marred by instability and heightened security threats, including recent pipeline explosions.
Last month, President Tinubu announced the emergency rule, citing political unrest in the state.
The president suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months, dubbing the intervention “inevitably compelling” in the light of security assessments.
To manage the state during the period, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator.
During the media parley, Wike reiterated his desire for the removal of Fubara. “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.
“The matter is in court but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not in my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable; that is why there is power play,” he said.
The rivalry between Wike and Fubara has deepened since Fubara assumed office, stemming from a fierce battle for control over the state’s political structure and resources.
This discord has not only strained their relationship but has also led to turmoil within the state House of Assembly, where 27 suspended members switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), resulting in factionalisation and a parallel assembly.
Wike also hinted of his readiness to reconcile with Fubara, if the suspended governor truly seeks forgiveness.
When asked whether he would forgive Fubara if he seeks his forgiveness, the minister said he was open to mending ties if approached sincerely.
During the media chat, the minister revealed that two fellow governors approached him with the hope of mediating in the feud.
Although he refrained from naming them, Wike emphasised his readiness to make peace with 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.’”
However, he stressed that any move toward reconciliation must be genuine, “If anybody comes, it must be in sincerity. The best opportunity was when the president intervened,” he said.
