Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims of a personal dispute with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, emphasizing that the governor remains his “son.”
Wike made this statement during an interview published by BBC Pidgin, amid increasing rumors of a falling-out between the two, who were previously political allies.
“That one is not a battle,” Wike said. “He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son. Why will I fight with him?”
Elaborating further, Wike clarified that his political conflict is not directly with Fubara but with individuals he accused of exploiting the governor for their own selfish motives.
“I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for,” he said.
“When you don’t defeat them, they will think they are in charge. Defeat them to the final stage. Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”
The former Rivers State governor also addressed the issue during a media interaction with selected journalists in Abuja on Monday, disclosing that Governor Fubara had taken steps toward reconciliation, following repeated appeals for peace by President Bola Tinubu.
“The President has called for peace severally and I cannot sit down when the President has called for peace and I say, ‘I don’t want peace,” Wike stated. “Yes, he came with two governors and one elder person.
Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors. So, I will not pursue him. He said he wants peace. That’s fine. I also want peace.”
Wike’s remarks come amid escalating political unrest in Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Fubara and the ongoing power struggle involving major stakeholders in the state.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli