Tinubu Won’t Sacrifice Wike for Fubara in Rivers Crisis, Says Fayose
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unlikely to sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the lingering political crisis in the state.
Fayose made the assertion during an exclusive interview on Arise Television aired on Tuesday, where he spoke on the deepening power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, a feud that has continued to fuel political tension and instability in Rivers State.
According to Fayose, Wike remains far more politically relevant to President Tinubu than Fubara, arguing that the President has little reason to abandon the former Rivers governor, who currently serves in his cabinet.
“But let me say this to Nigerians, the Asiwaju that I know will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara. Wike came from Rivers to give support to President Tinubu,” Fayose said.
He stressed that Wike’s political value to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) goes beyond loyalty, citing his performance as FCT minister and his ability to influence electoral outcomes in favour of the party.
“Wike is in Abuja performing. We’ve never had it so good in Abuja; even a blind man can’t deny that,” Fayose stated.
The former governor further claimed that Wike played a key role in the APC’s success in Rivers State local government elections and predicted similar outcomes in the upcoming local government polls in the FCT.
“The local government in Rivers, APC won them courtesy of Wike. The coming local government in Abuja, APC will still win it. So, what else will the President want from Wike?” he queried.
Commenting on reports that Governor Fubara had sought President Tinubu’s intervention over the crisis, including an alleged visit to meet the President abroad, Fayose described the move as a sign of political arrogance and weakness.
“If Governor Fubara has gone to meet the President, then it shows he needs help. When you don’t praise God, when you refuse to humble yourself and look for peace, you’ll just be running helter-skelter. What he’s looking for is inside his pocket,” Fayose said.
Fayose also spoke on the internal crisis currently rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing suggestions that President Tinubu or the APC is responsible for the party’s challenges.
He maintained that the PDP’s problems are largely self-inflicted and rooted in poor internal management.
The political crisis in Rivers State, sparked by the rift between Governor Fubara and Wike, has continued to draw national attention, with growing calls for reconciliation to restore stability and effective governance in the oil-rich state.
