The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he genuinely wanted Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to serve a second term, despite the prolonged political crisis that strained their relationship.
Wike and Fubara, once close political allies, were embroiled in a bitter feud after Fubara assumed office as governor. Although both leaders have since reconciled, the crisis had significant political consequences for the governor.
Speaking during his monthly media chat, Wike recalled publicly endorsing Fubara during the inauguration of the Rivers State Ring Road project, saying he had openly backed the governor’s re-election bid.
“We don’t like the truth. I flagged off the Ring Road and I said that day that if you complete this road, nobody will stop your second term. How do you endorse somebody more than that?” Wike said.
When asked directly whether he wanted Fubara to secure a second term, the FCT minister responded in the affirmative.
“That’s right. You have to build a system, and he’s from our political structure. There is nowhere in this world, whether in the Republican or Democratic parties, where people don’t have political groups. Every group will have its own leader, but that does not make you a godfather,” he said.
Wike argued that while he emerged from the political conflict without losing anything, Fubara ultimately paid the price because his ambition to seek another term was derailed.
“At the end of the fight, I have not lost anything, but you have lost because your intention was to go for a second tenure, but you are not going,” he stated.
The minister insisted that he still holds no personal grudge against the Rivers governor and expressed disappointment that Fubara would not have the opportunity to seek another term.
“Those of us who love you, Fubara, feel so bad. If I don’t love him, why would I support him? That’s the point I’m making. Of all these things, who has lost?” Wike said.
