Wike: Fubara must seek forgiveness before reconciliation, rejects Tompolo’s appeal

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has not tendered any apology to him, implying that the condition for forgiveness has not been met.

Wike, through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, was responding to a call from Niger Delta ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, urging him to forgive Fubara, his estranged political associate.

Tompolo, in a recent statement addressing the Rivers State crisis, emphasized the need for restraint and unity, imploring Wike to set aside his anger for the greater good of the state. “And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems.

Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all. We will have a dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again Fubara will return to his seat,” Tompolo had said.  

Olayinka further elaborated on the process of reconciliation, stating, “The person who has wronged you must first agree that in his mind he has wronged you. Let’s assume that Fubara has offended the minister, has he come to seek forgiveness? I’m not saying there is an offence and there should be forgiveness but he has not even come for forgiveness.” He clarified that Wike has not accused Fubara of personal misconduct but is simply advocating for adherence to principles of good governance.

“The minister has never said that Fubara offended him personally.

He only said that Fubara should govern in accordance with the rule of law and that Fubara should not throw away those who risked their lives and resources and that is not too much to ask.

ALSO READ : Akajemeli lauded for transforming service delivery in Nigeria’s public sector

He said, ‘Those who worked to make you governor, don’t throw them away like that’. So, that is not about forgiveness.

If there is one person Fubara would say he has offended, it should be the President,” Olayinka asserted, seemingly referencing the political dynamics and interventions in the Rivers State crisis. 

Drawing a proverb, Olayinka concluded, “You are begging a doctor to provide medicine for someone that is sick, but you are not begging the person that is sick to take the medicine.

What happens?” implying that reconciliation requires action from the perceived wrongdoer.