Wike rules out reconciliation with Rivers governor Siminilayi Fubara

In a candid live media chat on Sunday in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, unequivocally ruled out any possibility of reconciliation with Rivers State Governor Siminilayi Fubara, labeling him a “traitor.”

Wike, who served as the immediate past governor of Rivers State and had been a political mentor to Fubara, accused his estranged ally of betrayal and disregarding directives issued by President Bola Tinubu during a peace meeting.

Efforts by political leaders within Rivers State to mediate the growing political feud between the two have so far proven futile.

Expressing his frustration, Wike questioned the notion of resolving conflicts with someone he claims has deliberately undermined the peace process.

“I’m wondering, what conflict to resolve?” Wike remarked. “Mr. President, in his wisdom, called all parties.

He said “withdraw the impeachment notice, you go and do this, you go and do that, but they never returned to him.”

Wike recounted that while the Rivers State House of Assembly complied with President Tinubu’s directive to withdraw an impeachment notice against Governor Fubara, subsequent actions betrayed the spirit of the agreement.

“The Assembly withdrew the impeachment notice; you did one and two, and then you sent people to go to court. Elder, have you gone back to Mr. President to tell him we can’t do three and four? Nothing,” he said.

The former Rivers governor expressed disbelief at what he described as Governor Fubara’s audacity in dismissing a presidential intervention as “political.”

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“I have never seen this in my life—for a president to call parties, and one party goes back and says it’s political. Who does that?” Wike said, underscoring his disapproval of Fubara’s actions.

The political rift between Wike and Fubara has been brewing for months, stemming from differences in governance approaches and allegations of disloyalty. Wike, who played a pivotal role in Fubara’s emergence as governor, has accused him of straying from the principles and vision they once shared.

The feud reached a boiling point when the Rivers State House of Assembly moved to impeach Governor Fubara.

While the impeachment notice was withdrawn following President Tinubu’s intervention, the lack of full compliance with the terms of reconciliation has left Wike resolute in his decision to sever ties.

Political leaders in Rivers State have reportedly made several attempts to mediate the dispute, viewing the conflict as detrimental to the state’s stability. However, Wike’s statements during the media chat suggest that the relationship with Fubara is beyond repair.

The ongoing rift between the two prominent figures has created ripples within Rivers State’s political landscape, with concerns over the potential impact on governance and development.

Analysts warn that the feud, if unresolved, could exacerbate divisions within the political structure of the state.

As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on President Tinubu and other key stakeholders to determine whether a lasting resolution can be achieved or if the divide will deepen further.