Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has revealed that Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, visited him in Abuja to discuss resolving their ongoing political feud.
Tensions between Wike and Fubara have been brewing since late 2023, resulting in a deep political rift that shook the state.
The crisis eventually prompted President Bola Tinubu to impose emergency rule in Rivers and suspend Siminalayi Fubara for six months, appointing a sole administrator in his place.
According to Wike, Fubara recently came to see him, accompanied by two governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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“Yes, he (Fubara) came with two governors and another person, but unfortunately, the two of them are APC governors. I wouldn’t pursue him,” Wike said during a media chat in Abuja on Monday.
“He said he wants peace, and I said I want peace too. There are steps. You people think this is about just saying, ‘I want peace,’ and then you go. What that means is that there’s an open window for you—take the necessary steps to show you want peace.”
Wike pointed out that the political crisis was avoidable and partly brought on by Fubara’s own actions.
He recalled an earlier intervention involving Seyi Makinde, Ortom, Ikpeazu, and Umahi, who advised Siminalayi Fubara not to allow himself to be misled.
“Indeed, this is a self-inflicted injury. He doesn’t need it. When this crisis started, I called him. Seyi Makinde, Ortom, Ikpeazu, and Umahi were there. We sat him down and said, ‘This is not good for you. God has given it to you; don’t allow people to push you. You’re a governor—we know’.
“Don’t forget people laboured day and night. What I have said is: don’t forget people who toiled day and night,” Wike added.
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Wike also criticized unnamed governors for allegedly influencing Fubara’s decisions and questioned Fubara’s ability to lead any real reconciliation effort.
He accused Fubara’s supporters of continuing to stir tension through protests and public insults, which, according to him, undermines any claim of wanting peace.
“I told him, ‘Go this way, and you will not have a problem.’ People came and said, ‘Don’t mind him; assert yourself as governor’. Now trouble has come,” Wike said.
“They declare a state of emergency. He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches him. Who suffers? Assuming you don’t settle this problem and the state of emergency is called off, has the problem ended?
“I told him, ‘I don’t think you have the capacity to make peace. Your people are demonstrating every day, going on television to insult people.’
“Have you met the assembly people? There are leaders you should meet. It’s not just to say, ‘I want peace.’ You must show, by conduct and action, that you want it.”
Meanwhile, Siminalayi Fubara recently stated that he is not in a hurry to return to office. Speaking nearly two months after the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, Fubara said his “spirit has left there.” He also admitted that some of the actions taken by his supporters have made matters worse.
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