The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said his political career would suffer serious damage if Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara secures a second term in office.
Wike made the remark on Saturday while addressing stakeholders at a meeting in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Decision taken ahead of 2027
Although he did not mention the governor by name, the former Rivers governor said a firm decision had already been taken ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one — no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” Wike said.
“So everybody should know we have made a decision.”
Criticism after Defection, Peace Deal
Wike has in recent weeks intensified his criticism of Fubara following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month.
He accused the governor of breaching the terms of a peace agreement reached before the lifting of the emergency rule in the state, which paved the way for Fubara’s return to office.
Earlier in the week, the FCT minister said what he described as a “leadership mistake” in Rivers State would be corrected in 2027, adding that details of the agreement that restored Fubara to power would be disclosed at the appropriate time.
“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027, but we will talk about it later when the time comes,” he said, stressing that leaders must place the will of the people above personal interests.
Tinubu’s support not automatic ticket
At a separate stakeholders’ meeting on Friday in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Wike dismissed claims that Fubara’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would guarantee the governor’s re-election.
“If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” he said, in an apparent reference to previous peace arrangements.
READ ALSO: Wike Boasts of Political Strength in Rivers as Allies Rule Out Backing Fubara’s Second-term Bid
He warned that backing President Tinubu alone would not automatically secure another term for the governor.
“So, whoever is assuring you that everything will be fine once you sign on your mandate, you are mistaken,” Wike said.
“All of us have decided to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no discussion about that,” he said.
Leadership questions, claim of backing
Wike said efforts were being made to avoid repeating past political errors, adding that total support would be mobilised for President Tinubu.
“Of course, you know we won’t make the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct the mistake. We will do all we can to ensure that we give Tinubu all the total support that is required,” he said.
READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: I Suffered Too Much for Keeping Silent—Fubara
Questioning Fubara’s leadership style, Wike said a leader who could not effectively relate with local government chairmen, members of the state assembly, and the National Assembly lacked the capacity to govern.
He also reacted to the governor’s New Year message in which Fubara reportedly dismissed his comments as “noise”, insisting that Fubara owed his emergence as governor to him.
“I made him governor even when he was not popular among the people,” Wike said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
