The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured that he has fully reconciled with the Governor Siminalayi Fubura saying peace has returned to the state following the suspension of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state.
Recall that in March, President Bola Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and the state House of Assembly following a protracted political crisis between the governor and his predecessor.
The Minister further confirmed that Fubara was not in the country when President Tinubu suspended the emergency rule on Wednesday.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television yesterday, Wike said he has spoken to Fubara and he is ready to return to the country to assume office adding that his having perfect relationship with his political son.
Wike dispelled the insunuation in some quaters that he had not forgiven Fubara, saying there was no more conflict between him and his successor.
He said, “I have already said that we’ve been speaking. I will not engage with a man I have not forgiven. Everything is over. I am not a politician who says one thing today and another tomorrow. We must move forward.
“Unfortunately, there are people who do not want peace. Today, I watched individuals twisting the law, claiming illegality in the conduct of local government elections. But ask them: what did they do to prevent such illegality in the first place? When you hear them pontificating and shouting, you would think they have solutions—yet they do nothing except attempt to create crisis. The president has done a great deal for us, and peace has been restored.”
He also dismissed the speculation that he would influence the appointment of commissioners even as he vowed that he had no intention of recommending commissioners to Governor Fubara as he resumes office to lead the state.
Wike stated that he has no candidates to suggest and pledged to give the governor a free hand to manage the affairs of the oil-rich South-South state.
“I cannot go and impose anything on the governor. Why would I impose anything on the governor? Assuming I go to the governor and say, ‘I want this,’ will the state collapse? I will not (suggest commissioners for the governor) I have no candidate, and I will not.”
Wike insists that even if the Rivers governor approaches him for anything, he will assure him of a free hand to govern the state as he deems fit.
He said, “Even if the governor comes to me now and says, ‘we have agreed we want to work together’ which is natural, I will say ‘look, I give you free hand, you know how you want for the state’.
“All I would want to say, I know what I have done to keep this thing to this level, don’t drop it, move ahead. As I speak to you, I left the state where we can compete favourably with Lagos.”
*How Tambuwal betrayed me at PDP convention
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has slammed former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing them of political inconsistency and betrayal.
Wike, who featured on Channel Television’s Politics Today yesterday dismissed Tambuwal’s earlier remarks about choosing Atiku over him in matters of leadership.
“What do you mean by leadership and friendship? You cannot talk about leadership and ignore the person,” Wike said.
“These are people who have been consistently inconsistent. When you are a consistent betrayer, what do you expect?”
The rift between Wike and key PDP figures dates back to 2023. Then, Wike criticised Atiku, Tambuwal, and Bukola Saraki for abandoning zoning commitments that could have favoured the South.
Wike further alleged that Tambuwal had an understanding with Atiku to be made Senate President if the former president had won the 2023 presidential election, adding that both men were known for switching parties for personal advantage
The FCT minister recalled that it was on this basis Tambuwal sold out when it was obvious that he was coasting home to victory at the party convention in Abuja by tactically withdrawn from the race thereby asking his supporters to vote for Atiku, whom he allegedly refered to as his brother.
Wike also reminded viewers that he once backed Tambuwal’s bid for Speaker of the House of Representatives despite the party’s preference.
On September 6, Tambuwal, who appeared on the same programme earlier in September, pledged loyalty to Atiku, stressing that his choices were guided by governance values rather than friendship.
According to him, his disagreements with politicians had always been ideological, as he continued to enjoy cordial relations with leaders across party lines.
“When it comes to leadership of this country and leadership of the people, tomorrow, not even today, I would rather support Atiku than Nyesom Wike. It is a collaboration. It is not something difficult.
“Once it is about being altruistic and nothing personal. You have never seen me going against President Bola Tinubu personally, you have never heard of me going against Nyesom Wike personally,” he said.
He maintained that his past disagreements with leaders, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, were based on principles and ideology.
*Why I won’t back ex-President Jonathan in 2027
Meanwhile, Wike has equally warned former President Goodluck Jonathan not to acced to the call to contest the 2027 presidential election saying those calling him to join the race are deliberately plotting to plunge the country into crisis.
He noted that it was hypocritical for the same people who frustrated Jonathan’s bid in 2015 to suddenly be calling on him to return, despite his established status as an international statesman.
“Anybody saying Jonathan should return because he will only do one term is only looking for crisis. These are the same people who abandoned him in 2015. Why now? Jonathan has made a name for himself globally and they just want to drag him into unnecessary conflict,” Wike said.
The minister cautioned against attempts to destabilise the political balance by fronting Jonathan or any candidate from the South under the guise of a “one-term presidency,” describing such moves as insincere.
On President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Wike admitted the country was passing through difficult times but insisted that the president had taken tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.
“Yes, there is hardship. I agree. But no one can deny that this government is making efforts to improve things. I see the projects in Abuja daily; they are evidence that something is happening,” he stressed.
