Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has urged Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reconcile with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rather than engage in political confrontation.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Fayose stated, “My own position is always clear. Fubara, my governor, all of them, got their strength from other people.” His comments addressed the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which has resulted in political instability in Rivers State.
Fayose highlighted the need for humility and reconciliation in governance, using examples from other states to illustrate his point. “Look at Kogi. Why are we not having issues in Kogi? Why is Governor Kogi being very humble? Whatever you say about Yahaya Bello, he doesn’t want to hear it. Whatever anybody comes to say to him about Yahaya, he remembered the day Yahaya Bello gave him that platform,” he remarked.
Reflecting on advice he previously provided to his successor in Ekiti, Fayose recalled, “I told my governor, whatever governor Fayemi, what I’ve done to you, or whatever way you feel, don’t worry about that. Remember the day he gave you that platform. Don’t say ill of him, cooperate with him, and he thanked me for such advice. If it were other people, they take advantage of the situation.”
Fayose also addressed the title of “001” in Rivers politics, cautioning 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.”
He added, “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.”
The former governor appealed directly to Fubara to pursue 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.”
In response to claims that Fubara had already apologized to Wike, Fayose differentiated between genuine remorse and apologies made merely to ease 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 stated.
Fayose emphasized 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 advised.
He concluded by urging Fubara to respect both constitutional obligations and political mentorship. “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.”
PUNCH Online reports that the Rivers State Assembly has begun proceedings to impeach Governor Fubara. The House has accused Fubara of gross misconduct, citing allegations such as the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
This move comes amid a protracted feud between former Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, which has plunged Rivers State into political instability since late 2023. The crisis reportedly stems from a struggle for control over the state’s political structure, including the Peoples Democratic Party apparatus and the State Assembly.
While the House has denied claims that the impeachment initiative was influenced by Wike, reports indicate that the President has intervened in the dispute.
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