The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that Siminalayi Fubara was never expected to seek re-election as part of agreements reached to resolve the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State.
Speaking on Monday after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike said political stakeholders had agreed that moves to impeach Fubara would be halted on the condition that the governor would not pursue a second term in office.
According to the minister, the understanding formed part of reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring stability in the oil-rich state after months of political tension.
“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor argued that Fubara’s decision to obtain nomination forms for the governorship primary had undermined peace efforts and complicated ongoing negotiations among political actors in the state.
He, however, noted that the governor’s eventual withdrawal from the race aligned with the earlier agreement reached during the reconciliation process.
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” Wike added.
Speaking further, Wike endorsed the emergence of lawmaker, Kingsley Chinda as a governorship candidate, describing him as a seasoned politician with the experience and pedigree to lead.
A good product sells itself,” adding that Chinda had already proven his worth through years of service in both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“He is very experienced. He has worked in the executive and is now in the legislature. Everybody knows he is the material,” Wike said.
ThisNigeria reports that Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal from the governorship primary, explaining that the decision followed extensive consultations with family members, political associates and supporters.
In a statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” the governor said his action was taken in the interest of peace, unity and political stability in Rivers State.
