Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has acknowledged that he owes his rise to office to the support of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing the former governor as the one who “discovered” him and provided the platform for his gubernatorial ambition.
Fubara made the statement on Friday while receiving the New Telegraph Man of the Year Award, dedicating the recognition to Wike despite their past political differences.
“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it. I also dedicate this award to someone who discovered me, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, my oga, Nyesom Wike,” Fubara said.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be standing here as governor. He discovered me, and that discovery gave me this platform. Thank you for everything. I also dedicate this award to the people of Rivers State, whose support, patience, and maturity have brought us this far.”
Fubara and Wike have experienced a prolonged political rift in Rivers State. Fubara, formerly the Accountant-General of Rivers State, was considered Wike’s political protégé during the 2023 governorship election and won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination with Wike’s backing.
However, their relationship later soured, causing divisions within the Rivers State House of Assembly and sparking a fierce contest for control of the state’s political machinery. The dispute eventually drew national attention and was resolved following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who mediated between the two camps and restored relative political calm in the state.
