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John Azuta-Mbata, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has ramped up his criticism of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Wike has repeatedly aimed thinly veiled jabs at Siminalayi Fubara following the Rivers governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The minister reportedly opposed Fubara’s move, particularly after the political structure of the PDP in Rivers aligned with that of the ruling APC at the centre.
Wike recently said he would soon reveal the full details of the peace accord he reached with Fubara.
In June, President Bola Tinubu facilitated a detente between Wike and Fubara in a bid to halt the lingering crisis in the state.
Wike accused the governor of breaching the agreed terms and urged the people of Tai LGA in Rivers to be wary of individuals who dishonour agreements.
On Tuesday, Wike said the leadership mistake in Rivers will be corrected in 2027.
The minister, in an indirect jab at Fubara, insisted that leaders must prioritise public interest above personal ambition.
‘LOCAL CHAMPION’
However, Azuta-Mbata, an ex-senator who represented Rivers east in the upper legislative chamber, countered the FCT minister, insisting that “there is only one governor in Rivers state”.
“There is only one governor in Rivers state, whether you like it oo, you don’t like it oo. If you like, shout from now till tomorrow,” he said to the applause of his audience.
On Wednesday, Wike reacted, describing Mbata as a local politician who had nothing to show despite spending eight years in the senate.
“Yesterday, I was watching television. I heard somebody who was a senator, who is supposed to be talking about state politics, national politics, but he is playing community politics, endorsing someone in his community which is not even a ward, senator for 8 years but there is nothing you can say you did for your people,” Wike said.
“When my predecessor was in office, people so much believe in contracts, government in power, and the person was there, we defeated them.
“Immediately my predecessor left, I came, he was also there, now I have left and he is also there, any government in power… people don’t have integrity, nobody can think he will use us and after agree something you will renege on.
“You think you are a smart politician, that you are clever by half.
“Very soon, we will let the people of Rivers know what we agreed on before Mr. President. If you can renege on what we agreed with the president, then who are we?”
‘WE’LL RESIST YOU’
However, in a viral video, Mbata fired back, accusing Wike of lacking composure and questioning his intellect and public conduct.
“One of the signs of very poor education and upbringing is that you can’t even pronounce simple words. What’s the meaning of ‘inteegreety? Inteegreety… inteegreety’?” he asked.
“Can somebody tell this semi-illiterate, swashbuckling, crisis-loving gentleman that Rivers state belongs to all of us, not him alone?
“And we will resist you. You won’t get away with all this nonsense you’re doing.
“You think because nobody is talking, you can do anything?”
Rivers state was embroiled in crisis for much of 2025 due to the political rift between Fubara and Wike.
The crisis culminated in a declaration of emergency rule in the oil-rich state, which was lifted in September.
