… says Rivers governor backs Tinubu’s re-election

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed some governors for the political crisis that strained his relationship with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that both men have reconciled and are now working together.

Wike also maintained that Fubara is comfortable with his role in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, dismissing suggestions that the Rivers governor has been sidelined in the political arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Rivers State governor made the remarks on Tuesday during his monthly media chat in Abuja, where he explained why he was coordinating Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State despite Fubara being the incumbent governor.

According to Wike, the political situation in Rivers is peculiar, as the state is the only one where the campaign is not being coordinated by the sitting All Progressives Congress (APC) governor.

He argued that managing the campaign required a leader with sufficient political influence and the support of key stakeholders to secure the cooperation of different groups.

“Look, in an election, it takes a lot of leadership; there are a lot of things that are involved,” Wike said, stressing the need for someone who had the necessary political buy-in.

The FCT minister, however, rejected suggestions that the arrangement was intended to diminish Fubara’s political standing, insisting that the governor remained actively involved in the campaign.

Asked whether Fubara would participate in the re-election effort, Wike responded in the affirmative, maintaining that the governor would be involved at both state and national levels.

He also cited the use of Fubara’s residence for political meetings as evidence that the governor remained part of the arrangements.

“Fubara is fully a member, fully plays his part. If he is not a member, why do you think we are hosting meetings in his house? Do you know what it takes to host meetings of that calibre?” he asked.

Wike further disclosed that the relationship between him and Fubara had improved, saying both men had forgiven each other and reunited after the political disagreements that previously divided them.

“We are all one, we have forgiven each other, we have come together,” he said, while maintaining that the crisis was fuelled by the actions of people who did not have the governor’s best interests at heart.

He attributed the disagreement to what he described as the “evil works of some Nigerians”, adding that some governors had contributed to the strained relationship between the two political figures.

Wike said Fubara’s immediate concern was to preserve his political structure and maintain unity within his political family, regardless of whether he would seek another term in office.

“What is of concern to Fubara, whether he is running or not, is to keep his political family intact,” he said.

The minister also insisted that Fubara was willingly supporting Tinubu’s re-election campaign, arguing that the governor’s participation in meetings demonstrated his acceptance of the arrangement.

“He is happy with the role we are giving him. If he is not happy, why would you hold a meeting in his house?” Wike said.

Meanwhile, Wike declined to speculate on whether Fubara would be appointed a minister after leaving office next year, stressing that such a decision rested with the President.

“I am not the president to choose who will be a minister. I don’t have the right to nominate,” he said.

His comments come amid continuing political realignments in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, with Wike reaffirming his influence in the state’s political affairs while insisting that his relationship with Fubara has been restored.