Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the biggest loser in the political crisis that rocked the state.
Wike said Fubara lost the opportunity to secure a second term in office because he followed what he described as poor advice from individuals around him, which he said contributed to the escalation of the crisis.
The FCT minister made the remarks on Saturday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to Wike, Fubara’s inability to preside over the local government elections that produced the current chairmen of the state’s 23 local government areas, as well as his failure to maintain control of the State House of Assembly, demonstrated the extent of his political setbacks.
Wike said the governor should have prioritised compromise and political reconciliation rather than allowing the crisis to escalate.
“Impeachment is constitutionally provided for, but you don’t come out every time to say you want to carry out impeachment. That is only done when you see that things are not working very well,” he said.
The former Rivers governor stressed that political tools such as impeachment should be approached cautiously, adding that political actors must sometimes be willing to make concessions in the interest of peace.
Wike also criticised Fubara’s political supporters, questioning their contribution to resolving the crisis.
He noted that none of the 29 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was firmly aligned with Fubara during the dispute.
“Assembly of 29 members, not one was taken away. What does it tell you? You’re a leader,” Wike said, arguing that the situation reflected the governor’s lack of political control.
He further faulted those surrounding Fubara for allegedly encouraging confrontation rather than helping him consolidate his administration.
Wike recalled that he had previously expressed confidence that Fubara could secure a second term, particularly after the foundation laid for major infrastructure projects in the state.
“Remember when I flagged off the Ring Road. I flagged off the Ring Road and I said if you complete this Ring Road, nobody will stop your second term. Now, if I had said that, it means that I laid a foundation for you,” he said.
However, Wike argued that the political crisis ultimately undermined Fubara’s position and denied him the opportunity to pursue a second term.
Asked directly why he considered Fubara the biggest loser, Wike said the governor had been handed a political advantage but failed to preserve it.
“If you want me to say the bitter truth, I feel for him. But yes, he is the biggest loser. Yes, he lost because, look at it, God gave you something on a platter of gold,” he said.
Wike maintained that the prolonged dispute also affected Rivers State and other political actors, stressing that his primary concern was for the state to continue progressing.
He said the crisis should serve as a lesson that politics is fundamentally about power and influence, while the manner in which such power is exercised determines whether it benefits the people.
“Politics is not church. Politics is all about power. What you use the power for is a different thing. Whether you use it for the interest of the people or not is a different thing,” Wike added.
