Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT, has hinted at the possible return of peace between him and his embattled political godson, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike, who was also the immediate past governor of Rivers, declared that Fubara remained his political godson, and there was no war between them.
Recall that Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads barely six months after the latter resumed office over the control of the state’s political structure.
FCT, Abuja – The Rivers state crisis appeared to be coming to its conclusion, and the much-talked-about peace move between the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, signalled some green light.
This is as Wike, who was the immediate past governor of the state and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory, described the embattled Governor Fubara as his political son, despite the rift between the duo.
Wike denied having a feud with Fubara:
In an interview with BBC Pidgin on Saturday, May 17, the minister explained that he cannot fight his son and denied having a feud with Fubara. The former governor maintained that the battle was not against Fubara but those he said were pushing the governor against him.
Wike’s comment reads in part:
“That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son, why will I fight with him?
Wike further explained that he was only fighting those who wanted to eat from where they did not work. He added that if they were not defeated, they would think of him being defeated. Thus, he has to defeat them to the final stage.
He noted that these people are the ones pushing the suspended governor, and now, they are being shamed because “they are being defeated.
Wike of Fubara:
“I am not fighting Sim, he is my boy. How can I fight my own son? “I am fighting those who want to reap where they did not sow, people like Celestine Omehia, Abiye Sekibo, and Austin Okpara. I have defeated them before, and I will give them the final defeat.”
When did Wike and Fubara’s rift start?
The governor and his predecessor have been engaged in a political rift barely six months after the former resumed office, leading to an unending crisis in the oil-rich state.
here are claimed that Governor Fubara, who was suspended by President Bola Tinubu over the unending crisis in the state and declared a state of emergency, has apologised to his estranged political godfather.
Following the declaration of a state of emergency, President Tinubu announced the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the state’s sole administrator. However, the president’s action has been faulted and described as unconstitutional by opposition leaders.
Also, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have challenged the decision at the Supreme Court, in which the apex court has yet to fix a date to hear the suit.
Possible reason Wike is going soft on Fubara:
By referring to Fubara as his “boy”, Wike, who once denounced the suspended Rivers governor, appears to be softening his rhetoric.
Sources cited by Sahara Reporters claimed that Fubara had agreed to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following months of political pressure and federal-level maneuvering aimed at neutralizing opposition strongholds ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move follows what sources described as an “unprecedented” campaign of institutional pressure and political isolation, allegedly orchestrated by the APC-led federal government and key figures within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to insiders, the governor’s decision was sealed during a secret high-level meeting in London earlier this year, in what has since been dubbed the “2025 Peace Accord.” President Tinubu and Fubara reportedly met during the visit, although the Presidency has not officially acknowledged the meeting.
Political analysts view the development as a calculated attempt by the Tinubu administration to consolidate control ahead of the 2027 vote. Tinubu, who came to power in 2023 under the APC banner, has faced growing public discontent over inflation, insecurity, and economic stagnation.
“The President wanted Rivers state under control by any means necessary,” one source was quoted as saying, citing concerns within the APC over Rivers’ role as a potential opposition base.
As part of the reported agreement, Fubara’s control over state finances and governance will now be closely monitored by the APC leadership. Neither Governor Fubara nor the APC has issued a formal statement confirming the defection plan. The Presidency has also remained silent on the reported London meeting. The developments have sparked criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures, who accuse the federal government of undermining Nigeria’s democratic norms.
