The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he repeatedly advised suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to concentrate on governance instead of getting caught up in political conflicts.
Speaking on the political crisis in Rivers State, Wike recalled a conversation he had with Fubara during a church service, where he urged the governor to define his vision for the state and continue building on the developmental foundation already established.
According to him, his long-term goal was to see Rivers State compete with Lagos in terms of development and economic growth.
“I told him he had been elected and needed to decide what he wanted to achieve. My vision was for Rivers to compete with Lagos, and I believed I had laid the foundation for that journey,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor dismissed claims that their fallout was motivated by financial interests, insisting that his concern had always been the state’s development.
“It was never about money. If it were, we wouldn’t be where we are today. My focus was on governance and ensuring Rivers kept pace with leading states. Unfortunately, he lost focus,” he added.
Wike also addressed allegations that he supported moves to impeach Fubara. He explained that his earlier remark that “there is no sin” was based on religious teaching rather than political motives.
He described impeachment as a constitutional process that can arise during political disagreements, stressing that conflicts should be resolved through compromise whenever possible.
“Everyone makes mistakes. Impeachment is a political instrument, and situations can be resolved when parties are willing to put the interests of the state above personal differences,” he said.
Commenting on the future of Edison Ehie and lawmakers who stood by Fubara during the crisis, Wike said they would have to chart their own political future, noting that Fubara’s reconciliation with his political family did not automatically secure their positions.
He also argued that Fubara’s political influence had been weakened by recent events, including the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the local government elections conducted under his administration.
Wike advised the governor to be more careful about the people around him, saying many of those who encouraged confrontation failed to help resolve the crisis.
Rejecting claims that he was trying to control Rivers politics, Wike said political structures and alliances exist in democracies across the world. He compared the situation to political blocs in the United States, arguing that such arrangements are normal and should not be viewed as attempts at domination.
On his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, Wike said they shared the same political objectives.
“If I support the President and the governor also supports the President, then we are working together. We are all working to deliver the candidates of the coalition,” he said.
The minister also dismissed accusations that opposition politicians in Rivers State were being intimidated, insisting that enforcing existing laws should not be mistaken for political persecution.
“I’m not the head of government in Rivers State, but if someone is implementing a law that was passed, there’s nothing wrong with that. The claim that the opposition is being denied freedom is simply not true,” he said.
Wike further defended the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance involving four parties in Rivers State, describing it as a practical way to reduce political rivalry and promote cooperation ahead of elections.
He explained that the coalition allows member parties to agree on how elective positions are shared based on their strengths, thereby avoiding unnecessary disputes.
“The reason for the coalition is so that we know Party A will take this position and Party B will take another. In that way, there’s no fighting, and we put the interest of the state first,” he said.
According to Wike, the arrangement does not undermine democracy but instead ensures that the most suitable candidates emerge for different political offices.
