An old video of Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has reappeared on social media, stirring conversations about political influence and godfatherism in Nigeria.
In the video, Wike firmly opposes the practice of godfatherism, particularly in his home state, Rivers, stating that the system may exist in other parts of Nigeria but would not be tolerated in Rivers.
In the resurfaced footage, Wike directly contrasts Rivers State with Lagos, where godfatherism—an arrangement in which influential figures, or “godfathers,” control political outcomes by selecting or manipulating leaders—has been more prevalent. Wike passionately argued against such political dominance in Rivers, emphasizing that his state is different from others.
“It may happen in Lagos State but it cannot happen in Rivers, we are quite different,” Wike asserted.
He continued, saying that once his tenure as governor ended, he would step down without attempting to control the state’s leadership from behind the scenes.
“As a governor, I will come and go, and I can’t stop it. The day that my tenure ends, by the grace of God, I will go. When you are thinking that what is happening in Lagos State, we will do it here, it may be difficult.”
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Wike went on to address the negative impact of godfatherism, stating, “You can’t continue to say that you must be a godfather of a state. That is the problem, and it is not possible.”
The video has resurfaced at a time when Rivers State is facing a major political crisis, with Wike now embroiled in a fierce conflict with the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The disagreement between the two leaders has plunged the state into one of its worst political battles in recent times, as both men struggle for control over the political landscape in Rivers.
Political observers believe that this conflict could be linked to the same issues Wike spoke against in the past—namely, the struggle for influence and leadership control after Wike’s departure from the governor’s office. The resurfaced video has sparked a new wave of debate about political godfatherism, especially given the ongoing feud between Wike and Governor Fubara.
Watch the video below