The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the political crisis in Rivers State denied Governor Siminalayi Fubara the opportunity to seek a second term, blaming what he described as poor advice from political associates and external interests.
Wike made the remarks during the August edition of his monthly media chat, aired live on Channels TV on Tuesday, while reflecting on his relationship with his estranged political ally.
According to the former Rivers governor, he repeatedly advised Fubara not to abandon the political structure that brought him to power.
“I said, look, don’t derail. I came as governor, I had crisis. When I came as governor, there was nothing. They didn’t even relocate the Government House,” Wike said.
He recounted inheriting an administration with limited resources, saying he had to borrow ceremonial vehicles from a former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko.
“When I came, I had to borrow vehicles from the former governor of Ondo, Mimiko, these parade vehicles. Nobody kept any vehicle; I didn’t have one vehicle.
“But before I left as governor, I packed out from Government House one and a half years before. I renovated Government House. I bought vehicles for the governor, the deputy governor and the governor’s wife. I did that,” he said.
Wike said he expected Fubara to build on the foundation he left behind rather than abandon it.
“Somebody had laid a foundation. Look, this is where I stopped. If you continue this way, our dream is to be able to compete with Lagos. What is wrong with that?” he said.
The FCT minister alleged that individuals who had opposed Fubara’s emergence as governor later became his close allies and encouraged him to confront his political benefactors.
“Somebody comes, and that’s why you have to be careful. Those who didn’t want you to be governor now became your friends. Obviously, they will destroy you, thinking that coming closer to you is to fight us.
“At the end of the fight, I have not lost anything. What have I lost? Nothing. But you have lost. Your intention was to go for a second term, is it not correct? And you are not going,” Wike said.
When an interviewer interjected, asking whether he still loved Fubara, Wike replied, “If I don’t love him, why would we support him? That’s the point I’m making.”
He disclosed that efforts were made to reconcile both camps but said political considerations ultimately prevented any settlement.
