Wike Says Fubara Agreed Not to Seek Second Term in Rivers Political Peace Deal
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has claimed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was not expected to seek re-election as part of the agreements reached to resolve the political crisis in the state.
Wike made the statement on Monday while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja.
According to him, the peace arrangement that helped de-escalate tensions in Rivers State also included an understanding that Fubara would not pursue a second term in office.
“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.
The FCT minister argued that Fubara’s decision to pick up nomination forms in the first place went against the spirit of the political settlement reached among key stakeholders.
He added that the move further complicated efforts to stabilise the political environment in Rivers State after months of tension and power struggles.
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” Wike said.
Governor Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal from the Rivers State governorship primary election, saying the decision followed wide consultations with family members, political associates, and supporters, and was taken in the interest of peace and stability in the state.
In a statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” the governor said the step came after careful reflection on the political situation in the state.
The political crisis in Rivers State has continued to create deep divisions within the state’s political structure, with the disagreement between Wike and Fubara affecting governance and party unity over the past several months.
