Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has acknowledged that embattled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, recently visited him in a bid to reconcile amid the deepening political crisis in the state.
However, Wike insists that the turmoil was avoidable and primarily caused by Fubara’s poor decisions.
Speaking in a media interview on Monday, Wike disclosed that Fubara was accompanied by two governors both from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the meeting, despite Fubara’s membership in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Yes, he came with two governors, and unfortunately, the two of them are APC governors. He said he wants peace, and I said I want peace too,” Wike stated.
Wike emphasized that genuine peace goes beyond declarations, urging Fubara to take visible steps toward resolving the ongoing conflict.
“Saying ‘I want peace’ isn’t enough. What matters are the actions you take to back that up. You must demonstrate sincerity,” he added.
Background: Crisis and State of Emergency
Fubara’s visit came in the wake of a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London. The meeting followed the federal government’s decision to impose a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2024 a move that led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was installed as interim administrator to steer the affairs of the state during this emergency period.
Warnings Ignored, Crisis Deepens
Wike lamented that Fubara had ignored early advice from several senior politicians who cautioned him against allowing political manipulation to derail his administration. He revealed that prominent leaders including Governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and David Umahi had warned Fubara at the outset of the crisis.
“We told him plainly: ‘You’re already governor; don’t let anyone mislead you.’ But he chose to go his own way,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor described the situation as a “self-inflicted injury,” adding that the consequences such as the legislative deadlock and halted federal allocations were affecting the state’s governance and development.
“Even if the emergency is lifted tomorrow, the problems remain. The Assembly will not function, the budget won’t pass, and federal funds won’t flow,” Wike warned.
Doubts Over Fubara’s Capacity for Peace
Wike also questioned Fubara’s ability to lead a genuine peace process, pointing to what he described as ongoing hostility from the governor’s allies.
“Every day your supporters go on TV to hurl insults. Have you even reached out to the Assembly members? There are steps that need to be taken. You can’t just talk peace; you must act like it,” Wike stressed.
He concluded by reiterating that the path to stability lies in leadership, consultation, and decisive actions not rhetoric.
