Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said his political career would be destroyed if Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, is allowed to secure a second term in office.
Nyesom Wike made the statement on Saturday while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. According to him, a firm political decision has already been taken regarding Fubara’s second-term ambition.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one [Fubara] — no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” Wike said.
He added, “So everybody should know that we have made a decision.”
Renewed Rift After Defection to APC
Nyesom Wike comments mark a continuation of his open attacks on Fubara following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month.
The FCT minister accused Fubara of violating the peace agreement that was reached prior to the lifting of the emergency rule in Rivers State—an agreement that paved the way for the governor’s return to office.
Earlier in the week, Nyesom Wike stated that what he described as a “leadership mistake” in Rivers State would be corrected in 2027. He also promised to disclose details of the peace agreement that restored Fubara to power.
In an apparent reference to the governor, Wike said political leaders are expected to serve the will of the people rather than pursue personal interests.
“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027, but we will talk about it later when the time comes,” he said.
‘Supporting Tinubu Won’t Guarantee Re-Election’
On Friday, during another stakeholders’ meeting in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Wike insisted that Fubara’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not guarantee him re-election.
He noted that he had supported Tinubu long before Fubara joined the APC.
“If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” Nyesom Wike said, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to the peace agreements reached with Fubara.
He warned that assurances of political safety through loyalty to Tinubu were misleading.
“So, whoever is assuring you that everything will be fine once you sign on your mandate [Tinubu’s political signature song], you are mistaken,” he said.
Wike further declared total support for Tinubu, stressing that past political errors would not be repeated.
“All of us have decided to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no discussion about that. Of course, you know we won’t make the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct the mistake,” he said.
Criticism of Fubara’s Leadership
The former Rivers governor also questioned Fubara’s leadership style, alleging that the governor lacks a functional relationship with key political stakeholders.
“Someone who cannot relate with local government chairmen, state assembly members, and national assembly members—what kind of leadership do you want to provide?” Wike asked.
Responding to Fubara’s New Year message, in which the governor dismissed his comments as “noise,” Wike said he was instrumental in making Fubara governor despite his alleged lack of popularity among the people.
