In Abuja, Olawale Ajimotokan, in Lagos, Funmi Ogundare, and in Port Harcourt, Blessing Ibunge report that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticized the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of lacking the ability to foster peace with estranged stakeholders and resolve the political crisis destabilizing the state.
While some supporters of the suspended governor argue that their actions are rooted in democratic principles and the state’s best interests, insisting that the state of emergency must end for lasting peace, Wike has maintained a critical stance. Speaking during a monthly media chat, he confirmed that Fubara had visited him in Abuja as part of efforts to settle their political differences.
However, Wike accused Fubara of presenting a false image of reconciliation while his loyalists continued to escalate tensions by attacking political opponents on television. He further criticized Fubara for visiting his residence with two APC governors rather than the PDP governors who had previously supported him during the crisis.
Wike claimed he directly told Fubara during the meeting that he believed the suspended governor lacked the ability to bring about peace. He advised Fubara to seek reconciliation not just with him but also with other stakeholders, including the State Assembly and the party, for true peace to prevail.
“The president has repeatedly called for peace, not me. But Fubara reportedly said, ‘I don’t want peace,’” Wike explained, noting that while Fubara was accompanied by two APC governors, he expected the presence of PDP governors instead.
Wike described the situation as a “self-inflicted injury,” criticizing Fubara for failing to heed his earlier advice and allowing others to influence him negatively. He warned that those encouraging Fubara to assert his authority as governor were misleading him, leaving him isolated in the current crisis.
Sonia Orjiako