Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unlikely to remove the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in order to favour Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the lingering political crisis in the state.
Fayose made the remark on Tuesday during an interview on ARISE Television while responding to questions on the prolonged political confrontation between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, a feud that has fuelled instability in Rivers State since late 2023.
“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.
According to him, Wike’s relevance to the president is tied to his performance as FCT minister and his capacity to deliver political results for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Wike is in Abuja performing; we’ve never had it so good in Abuja. Even a blind man can’t deny that,” Fayose added.
He referenced the recent local government elections in Rivers State, which he claimed were won by the APC due to Wike’s influence, and projected similar outcomes in forthcoming local council polls in Abuja. “So, what else will the President want from Wike?” he queried.
Fayose also reacted to reports that Governor Fubara had sought the intervention of President Tinubu, suggesting that such a move reflected poor political judgement on the part of the governor.
“If Governor Fubara has gone to meet the President (in France), 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,” he said.
Speaking on the internal crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu was responsible, instead attributing the party’s challenges to internal disunity.
“The PDP caused themselves an insurrection. It’s a house that is divided against itself, and the nature of man is survival of the fittest,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wike has responded to calls for his removal, stating that such authority rests solely with the president. He made this known on Sunday during a “thank you” visit to Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
“Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes that I cannot offer anything again, he has the right; it is not in your place to tell him what to do,” Wike said.
He further noted that President Tinubu understands his political worth and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the president’s political agenda. During the visit, local leaders, including Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, and Chairman of Obio-Akpor Council, Gift Worlu, pledged their continued support for Wike, citing the area’s electoral strength and the minister’s impact on the community.
The statements by Fayose and Wike come against the backdrop of ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The lawmakers have accused the governor of misconduct, including extra-budgetary spending and alleged disobedience to a Supreme Court ruling. While the Assembly has denied any involvement by Wike, reports indicate that President Tinubu has intervened in an effort to manage the crisis.
