Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, says President Bola Tinubu will not ditch Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers, to resolve the political crisis in the state.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Fayose said Tinubu values loyalty, political strength and influence, noting that the president would not sacrifice Wike’s standing for Fubara.
“Let me say this to Nigerians: the Asiwaju that I know, the president of Nigeria that we know, will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara,” Fayose said.
“Wike came from Rivers to support President Tinubu. Wike is performing [as FCT minister]. We never had it so good in Abuja, even a blind man can’t deny that.
“At this stage of his life, even when he is no longer the minister of FCT, Wike is a man who has done well for himself in the political space. You will always need Wike. Let me tell you the truth.”
Fayose advised Fubara to reconcile with Wike by honouring the agreement he signed with the FCT minister.
“I want to advise Governor Fubara again. Please, Fubara, I am begging you, go and make certain amends and be at peace,” he said.
Fayose also commented on the title of “001” in Rivers politics, warning Fubara against challenging Wike’s authority.
“There’s a difference between the office and 001. What brought about the 001? Who gave you the platform to call yourself the 001? It is a sad narrative for Governor Fubara to be struggling. Rather, he should manage the situation.
“Even if Wike is saying he is the leader, it is not to the mouth of Fubara to be contesting that. We all know the truth,” he said.
The former governor appealed directly to Fubara to seek peace and reconciliation. “Let me tell you again. I want to advise Governor Fubara again. Please, Governor Fubara, I’m begging you, go and make amends and be at peace.”
Responding to claims that Fubara had already apologised to Wike, Fayose distinguished between genuine remorse and apologies made merely to calm tensions.
“Those people leading on Governor Fubara, if Governor Fubara goes down today, they will run away. People who were saying I should fight back those days, they were not there when I was isolated and when I was alone,” he said.
Fayose added that Fubara must learn from past political lessons.
“The emergency rule was all-winning for Governor Fubara. By now, Governor Fubara would have been history because the moment you are impeached, you’re out of the way. You can’t contest. If you read the context of President Tinubu, he took the governor, Governor Fubara, to the cleaners. It is time for Governor Fubara to learn. Learn the way I learned my lesson after my first tenor,” he said.
He concluded by urging Fubara to respect both constitutional obligations and Political mentorship. “The Constitution is binding on you, binding on me and binding on Rivers people. That is the more reason why Governor Fubara, I’m saying it again, climb down from his high horse, look for his brother, his leader, the man who was thoughtful enough to say among all you brides, I will marry you, come to the office of the governor.”
Wike began campaigning against Fubara’s re-election in December after accusing the governor of reneging on an agreement they both signed before Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers State.
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, aligned with Wike, had also accused Fubara of spending state funds without approval.
Last Thursday, the lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Ngozi Odu, the deputy governor of Rivers, over allegations of “gross misconduct”.
Fayose, who was impeached in 2006 during his first term as governor, said people advising Fubara to move against Wike would abandon him if the lawmakers impeach him.
“If Fubara goes down today, they will run away. People who were saying I should fight back those days were not there when I was isolated. I was alone,” he said.
Fayose said Tinubu has a strong aversion to ingratitude and places a premium on loyalty.
“It is time for Governor Fubara to learn. Learn the way I learned my lesson after my first tenure,” he said.
Fayose added that Wike’s influence is crucial to the All Progressives Congress (APC) electoral victories in Rivers and the FCT.
