In an explosive statement that has stirred the political waters in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), denied claims that he was “made” governor of the state by any political leaders, asserting instead that he fought his way to the governorship seat.
Wike’s comments, made at a civic reception held in Port Harcourt on Friday in honor of some of his loyalists, come as old videos resurfaced on social media, showing former First Lady Patience Jonathan introducing him to political leaders in 2014 as the preferred successor to Governor Rotimi Amaechi. These videos have added fuel to the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, particularly between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The issue has gained significant traction in light of a verbal spat between Wike and former Governor Peter Odili. Odili’s recent public support for Governor Fubara, a figure Wike has been at odds with, has led to accusations of political betrayal, with Wike insisting that Odili should have acted as a neutral father figure amidst the growing crisis.
Speaking candidly during the reception, Wike passionately emphasized that no political figure handed him the governorship of Rivers State. “You didn’t give me the governorship of Rivers State in 2014. I fought for the party structure. I took it from Magnus Abe, yes, I did. So, you can’t say you made me governor. Nobody, I don’t want to make comments about certain people, I won’t do that,” Wike said, clearly dismissing claims that his rise to power was facilitated by any one person or group.
Wike’s words are a sharp rebuttal to the recent resurfacing of the videos, where the former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, appeared to endorse him as the successor to Governor Amaechi, a powerful figure in Rivers politics at the time. The suggestion that Wike’s ascent was primarily orchestrated by the Jonathans and Odili has stirred controversy, but Wike remains resolute in his narrative of personal struggle and political conquest.
The former governor went on to explain the difficult and often contentious journey to the Rivers governorship: “You, Magnus, all of you, Victor Giadom, I fought you people, took the party structure. So, nobody can say I brought Wike, I dashed you. Nobody can say that,” he declared, pointing out his tense political battles with opponents within his own party.
While Wike strongly rejected the notion that he was the recipient of political patronage, he was also quick to acknowledge the importance of support in any political endeavor. He said, “But it would be unfair to me, to Almighty God, for me to say nobody supported me. No, you can’t say that. You need people’s support, but not to say you gave me.”
Wike’s comments came at a time of heightened political rivalry in the state. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Patience, and former Governor Peter Odili were instrumental in Wike’s rise to power in 2015, following a fallout between the then-Governor Amaechi and the Jonathan administration. At that time, Wike had served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff and later as Minister of State for Education under Jonathan’s government.
The fallout between Amaechi and Jonathan, particularly after Amaechi became a vocal critic of the federal government, led to a dramatic realignment of political alliances in the state. Patience Jonathan, in particular, is said to have thrown her weight behind Wike, helping him secure the governorship ticket in the wake of Amaechi’s estrangement from the ruling party.
Despite the obvious support Wike received from the Jonathans and Odili, his stance remains clear: he sees himself as a self-made politician who navigated a complex political landscape through his own efforts. “It was a fierce fight. It was not handed to me,” Wike said, underscoring the tough political maneuvering he had to engage in to establish control over the Rivers political machinery.
The tension between Wike and Odili has further intensified since the election of Fubara as governor. Wike, who has publicly criticized Fubara’s administration, accused Odili of taking sides in the ongoing political dispute rather than fostering unity in the state. Wike’s frustration was palpable when he said, “You should have been the father figure, not a partisan. But you chose sides. You have shown who you support, and that is what I have been fighting against.”
Odili’s endorsement of Fubara has not only deepened the rift between him and Wike but also highlighted the generational divide within the Rivers State political landscape. While Wike has positioned himself as the voice of political reform and empowerment, Fubara represents the continuation of the political establishment that Wike himself once championed.
Political analysts have speculated that Wike’s recent statements might be aimed at securing his place in the future political dynamics of Rivers State, especially as he positions himself as a potential kingmaker in the upcoming elections. His words serve as a clear indication that he intends to remain an influential figure in the state’s politics, despite his role in the federal government.
Moreover, Wike’s rejection of the narrative that his success was handed to him is a direct challenge to his critics, particularly those within the opposition and his own party, who have tried to undermine his political legacy. By positioning himself as a self-made leader, Wike aims to reinforce his image as a man of the people, one who rose to power not through patronage but through sheer determination and political acumen.
The controversy surrounding Wike’s political ascent is unlikely to fade anytime soon. As the political crisis in Rivers State continues to unfold, the interplay between Wike, Odili, Fubara, and other political players will shape the future trajectory of the state’s governance. For now, Wike has made it clear that while he acknowledges the role of supporters, he alone is responsible for his rise to power in Rivers State.
