ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has intensified his public feud with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, revealing that the Governor was not part of his long-term political blueprint for Rivers State.
Speaking at an event on Saturday, Wike drew a sharp distinction between his core loyalists and those he described as “later-day converts,” placing Fubara in the latter category. The Minister’s comments come as the two leaders enter their second year of a bitter political standoff that has fractured the political landscape of the oil-rich state.
A Question of Loyalty
Reflecting on his political journey since 2014, Wike praised the consistency of his early supporters while throwing a subtle jab at the Governor’s background. “Let me say, and I stand to be corrected, that those who worked with us from the inception—from 2014 when we mounted the idea of the governorship of the state—none of them have disappointed us,” the Minister stated.
Wike pointed out that the current friction stems from those who were not part of the foundational struggle that brought him to power. “Those of them that we cannot tell their story are those who were later-day converts. They were not the original part of the planning of me becoming the governor of Rivers State,” he added.
From Protégé to Rival
The revelation is a significant departure from the narrative of 2023, when Wike handpicked Fubara—then the State Accountant General—and heavily sponsored his election to ensure a smooth transition. However, the alliance collapsed within months. Fubara’s camp has frequently alleged that Wike’s demands for control over state resources and appointments were “excessive,” while Wike maintains the Governor betrayed the political structure that produced him.
Political Implications
The Minister’s remarks coincide with a series of setbacks for the Governor, including the APC National Working Committee’s decision to maintain a party structure in Rivers State that is largely loyal to Wike. By framing Fubara as an outsider to his “original plan,” Wike appears to be signaling a permanent break and a move to consolidate his “foundational” base ahead of future elections.
Despite the pressure, Governor Fubara has continued to insist on his independence, recently describing his administration as a “rescue mission” for the state.
