Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that he was made the Governor of Rivers State by influential political figures in the state. Wike acknowledged receiving political support but maintained that his journey to power was marked by fierce battles to secure his position.
Speaking at a civic reception in honor of his loyalists in Port Harcourt, Wike contrasted his rise with that of the current Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he claimed to have personally installed as governor.
The Origins of the Debate
The remarks come in the wake of old videos resurfacing online, showing former First Lady Patience Jonathan presenting Wike as a preferred successor to then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi in meetings with political leaders like former Governor Peter Odili. The videos have reignited discussions amid a growing rift between Wike and Odili, centered on the political crisis in Rivers State.
Odili’s public support for Governor Fubara, Wike’s successor, has deepened tensions. Wike criticized Odili for taking sides, suggesting he should adopt a neutral stance as a political elder.
Wike’s Defense of His Political Ascent
Wike emphasized that his rise to the governorship was a result of his struggle for control within the party.
“You didn’t give me. To be Governor of Rivers State in 2014, I fought for the party structure. I took it from Magnus Abe and others. Nobody can say they made me Governor. But it would be unfair to God to say I had no support. You need people’s backing, but I earned my position,” Wike said.
Wike’s journey to the governorship is widely regarded as tumultuous. During his tenure as Minister of State for Education under President Goodluck Jonathan, Wike reportedly leveraged his position and political alliances to secure the governorship in 2015. This was amidst a fallout between Jonathan and Amaechi, which saw the Jonathans, alongside Peter Odili, rallying behind Wike.
Context of the Conflict
The tension between Wike and Fubara has escalated into a broader political crisis in Rivers State. Wike’s insistence on his self-made status underscores his ongoing dominance in the state’s politics, while his criticisms of Odili highlight the factional divisions among Rivers State’s political elite.
This unfolding political drama reveals not only the complexities of Wike’s rise to power but also the enduring rivalries that continue to shape Rivers State’s political landscape.
