The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, approached him for reconciliation.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike disclosed that Fubara visited him with two governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek a peaceful resolution to their ongoing political dispute.
Wike and Fubara have been embroiled in a political conflict since Fubara assumed office as governor in 2023. The rift escalated to the point where President Bola Tinubu intervened, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspending Fubara for six months while appointing a Sole Administrator.
Wike said he welcomed the peace efforts but insisted that Fubara must take concrete steps to show genuine commitment. “The President had called for peace severally and I can’t sit down and say no when the President has called for peace,” Wike stated. “Yes, he came with two governors, unfortunately they are APC governors – I won’t pursue him. He said he wants peace and I also want peace. This means that there are open window for you and take the necessary steps that you want peace. This is a self-inflicted injury, he doesn’t need it.”
Reflecting on the origins of the crisis, Wike said he had previously warned Fubara to handle power with humility. “When it started I called him saying this thing is not good for you because God has given it to you, why not humbly handle it and not allow people push you?” he added.
Wike dismissed suggestions that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was in crisis in Rivers State. “We don’t have problem with PDP in my state. Government is not the party but government could work with the party, so there is no problem with PDP in my state,” he said.
He also responded to recent comments by Atedo Peterside, who reportedly described some of Fubara’s appointees as “riff-raffs.” Wike criticized the remarks as disrespectful, stating, “Atedo Peterside’s comment is unfortunate, saying appointees are riff-raffs is too extreme. PHD holders are riff-raffs because they could not establish a bank. If they had established a bank, they won’t have been riff-raffs.”
He accused Peterside of contributing to the governor’s current woes and questioned his involvement in Fubara’s emergence as governor. “These are some of the people who caused problems for the governor. When we were making this young man governor, what was Peterside’s contribution? He’s from Opobo LGA. How can a man give a blanket insult that people are riff-raffs? Look, whatever position you occupy, your impact on your people is key.”
Wike also recalled a conversation with the late Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO of Access Bank, about giving back to Rivers State. “When Wigwe was alive, I called him, look you are in Lagos and everyday you fly down here, what have you done for Rivers State? At the level you are, what can you say you have contributed for the development of the state? He looked at me and said he would return in two weeks time. He came back, he said that he has thought about it. He told me he was going to setup a world class university.”
