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Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared an end to the protracted political feud between him and Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers.
Wike spoke on Saturday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital, where he called on supporters of both camps to embrace peace, unity and reconciliation, saying the state has been the biggest loser in the supremacy battle.
The FCT minister, who served as Rivers governor from 2015 to 2023, was widely reported to have played a prominent role in Fubara’s emergence as his successor.
However, shortly after Fubara was sworn in, the relationship between the two men deteriorated, triggering a prolonged political crisis that polarised Rivers’ political landscape.
The crisis saw lawmakers loyal to Wike initiate impeachment proceedings against Fubara on multiple occasions, escalating tensions and eventually leading to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers.
Both camps later reached a truce after Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
‘IF I SAY I FORGIVE YOU, I FORGIVE YOU’
During the media chat, Wike said Fubara’s biggest mistake was attempting to build his own political structure too early after becoming governor.
He, however, said he had reflected on their disagreements and resolved to put the development of Rivers above their personal and political differences.
“As far as the state is concerned, peace and unity are all we want. We must work together, and we are now working together with the governor,” Wike said.
The former governor acknowledged that mistakes were made during the political crisis but said all parties had come to appreciate the negative impact of the conflict on the state’s growth and stability.
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“We have made our mistakes,” he said.
“We have realised that it is not in the interest of the state. Therefore, people should encourage this reconciliation and not ask, ‘Why did the governor do this?’ Those who make such comments do not mean well for Rivers state.”
Wike said the prolonged political crisis only hurt the state and its people, describing Rivers as the biggest casualty of the conflict.
“You should ask yourself a simple question: during all these fights, who lost?” he asked.
“It was the state that lost. So why would anyone want the state to continue to lose?”
The minister commended the spirit of compromise that made the reconciliation possible, saying true leadership requires sacrifice and the willingness to forgive.
“When someone has made a sacrifice and said, ‘Let bygones be bygones; let’s work together,’ that gesture should be appreciated,” he said.
“Some of us are not extremists. If I say I forgive you, I forgive you.”
‘THE GOVERNOR’S MIND IS NOW AT REST’
Wike said a committee had been constituted to engage stakeholders across the state and strengthen the ongoing peace process.
“We have set up a committee to reach out to everybody,” he said.
“The objective is to ensure that everyone is carried along in the effort to build a united and prosperous Rivers State.
“If you want to play politics today, it is the Rainbow Coalition. Forget whatever anybody tells you; you cannot win without bringing people together.”
He urged political actors to put the interests of Rivers above party affiliations.
“It is not about the APC, it is not about the PDP, it is not about the Labour Party, and it is not about any other group,” Wike said.
“Let us join hands together for the interest of the state because that is what will help us move forward.”
The minister also praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing it as beneficial to Rivers and the country.
“The leadership of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is good for us and good for Nigeria,” he said.
Wike expressed optimism about the state’s future, saying the atmosphere of peace created by the reconciliation would enable Fubara to focus fully on governance.
“With what the governor has done, I can tell you that in the next one year, you will see a lot of improvement in this state,” he said.
“Nobody can govern effectively where there is no peace. Nobody can govern where there is no unity.
“Now the governor’s mind is at rest and he can concentrate on his work.
“Even if he has just six months, he can still make significant changes and leave a meaningful impact.”
The former governor said the reconciliation had also shut out political opportunists who thrive on division and conflict.
“With what we have done now, all those opportunists will no longer have the chance to divide the state further,” he said.
“It is unity forever. Let us work together, let us remain together, and let us build Rivers State for the benefit of all.”
BACKGROUND
The development follows Fubara’s recent declaration of support for the Rainbow Coalition, backed by Wike for Tinubu’s re-election in Rivers.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Rivers Medical Industries project in Port Harcourt on July 22, Fubara also endorsed Kingsley Chinda, Wike’s ally and the APC governorship candidate, as his preferred successor.
Fubara was initially screened alongside Chinda for the APC governorship primary but later withdrew, saying he made the decision out of conviction and in the interest of peace and unity of Rivers.
The APC screening committee reportedly disqualified several of Fubara’s allies from the Rivers house of assembly primaries while clearing aspirants loyal to Wike.
