The lingering political crisis in Rivers State took a new turn on Friday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, disclosed that he is willing to forgive his estranged political godson and successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara—if the governor sincerely seeks forgiveness.
Wike, speaking during a media parley in Abuja, said although he has been deeply wronged by Governor Fubara, he is open to reconciliation on the condition that the governor approaches him with genuine remorse.
“Sincerely,” Wike said when asked if he would forgive Fubara if he asks for it. “In sincerity, if anybody comes, it must be in sincerity. The best opportunity was when the President intervened.”
Wike and Fubara, once close allies, have seen their relationship fall apart in recent months, resulting in a deep political divide in Rivers State. The rift, widely seen as a power struggle, has thrown the state’s political structure into turmoil, including the state legislature.
At the heart of the crisis is a battle over control of political structures, appointments, and governance style. The conflict came to a head when 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Wike, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). These lawmakers were later suspended, further escalating tensions.
The governor has since struggled to maintain control of the House, while Wike’s loyalists continue to challenge his leadership from outside.
According to Wike, efforts have been made behind the scenes to reconcile the two factions. He revealed that two unnamed serving governors recently approached him in an attempt to broker peace between him and Fubara.
“These two governors came to me and I said, ‘Look, I am here for peace. What does he want?’ and they said, ‘We will do everything.’”
Despite expressing his willingness to end the feud, Wike emphasized that the governor must demonstrate true humility and honesty in his approach, indicating that surface-level apologies would not be enough.
Wike also expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in the Rivers crisis, stating that the President’s move helped save the state from chaos. At the peak of the political standoff, President Tinubu reportedly intervened by calling for peace among the warring parties and proposing measures to stabilize the state.
One of the controversial steps taken was the declaration of a state of emergency in the state legislature and the appointment of a sole administrator in place of the suspended House members. While this decision drew mixed reactions from across the country, Wike maintained that it was necessary to avoid a total breakdown of law and order.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor,” Wike said candidly.
“But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy.”
The former governor did not hide his discontent with Fubara’s administration, suggesting that the governor had lost his grip on governance and was no longer fit to lead. Wike, known for his strong political influence in Rivers and beyond, hinted that he would not back down unless the governor took concrete steps to mend their fractured relationship.
“The matter is in court but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not in my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable,” he added.
Siminalayi Fubara emerged as the successor to Wike in 2023 after being handpicked and supported by the former governor during the PDP primaries. He went on to win the election and was sworn in as governor, with Wike expected to play a behind-the-scenes role as a political mentor.
However, it didn’t take long for cracks to appear in their relationship. Disagreements over appointments, policy decisions, and the handling of state affairs grew, with both men accusing each other of betrayal and bad faith.
Fubara’s attempts to assert his independence as governor were seen by Wike’s camp as an act of rebellion, while Fubara’s supporters accused the former governor of trying to control the state from Abuja.
The feud has left the PDP in Rivers deeply divided, with both men commanding significant support across different structures of the party.
As Rivers continues to grapple with the political crisis, calls have grown for both leaders to set aside personal grievances and focus on the development of the state. The state’s residents have expressed frustration over the impasse, which they say is slowing down governance and public service delivery.
For now, Wike’s latest statement signals that a window for peace remains open—albeit with strings attached. Whether Governor Fubara will take up the offer and seek reconciliation remains to be seen.
The people of Rivers State, caught in the middle of this political battle, are watching closely and hoping for a resolution that brings back stability and unity to the state.
