The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he wanted Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to be removed completely from office, rather than suspended. He made this comment while supporting President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in the troubled state.
Wike, who is the immediate past governor of Rivers State, made the statement during a media briefing held in Abuja on Friday. The event was monitored by our correspondent.
President Tinubu had last month suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months. The President said he took the action due to rising political tension and insecurity in the state, including recent pipeline explosions.
The President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator to run the state until peace is restored.
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Reacting to the development, Wike said: “As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy.”
Wike and Governor Fubara have been involved in a bitter political conflict since the governor assumed office. The feud between the two has led to a split in the state’s House of Assembly, with different factions claiming leadership and operating parallel sessions.
Wike stated, “The matter is in court, but people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. It is not in my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power play.”
This marks another chapter in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, with many residents and political watchers concerned about its impact on governance and development.
In the same media chat, Wike also criticised his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party is not prepared for the 2027 general elections. He expressed doubt about the PDP’s chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if internal disagreements are not resolved.
Wike said, “The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class. That is the situation of the PDP.”
He added that if PDP leaders do not unite and fix their internal problems, he will not support the party in the next elections.
“Power struggle cannot help the party,” he warned.