“Godfatherism is not good” — Wike’s 2018 warning to Ambode to resist Tinubu resurfaces amid Rivers crisis

In a resurfaced 2018 interview, Nyesom Wike, now minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), warned Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Lagos, to resist political godfatherism and reject Bola Tinubu’s influence. Speaking on The Osasu Show while serving as governor of Rivers state, Wike urged Ambode to put the interests of Lagos above political loyalty.

“If it is correct that the godfather is against Ambode, I will tell him to resist it. I will tell him to promote the interests of his state,” Wike said. “Godfatherism is not good. It negates development.”

At the time, Ambode’s political future was uncertain. He eventually lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for a second term after falling out with Tinubu, who backed Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the 2019 election. Many attributed Ambode’s fate to his refusal to fully align with Tinubu’s political structure and the sidelining of key loyalists.

Wike also drew a sharp contrast between the politics of Lagos and Rivers. “No more godfather politics in Rivers state. We are not in Lagos state. Rivers state will not accept godfatherism. My concern is to do well for Rivers state,” he declared.

Ironically, years later, Wike himself would be at the center of a fierce political battle with his successor, Siminalayi Fubara. Though Wike handpicked Fubara as governor in the 2023 elections, their relationship fractured after Fubara’s inauguration. The disagreement escalated into a power struggle over control of the state’s political structure.

On October 29, 2023, an attempted impeachment of Fubara and the subsequent demolition of the state assembly complex deepened the crisis. A peace deal brokered by President Tinubu in December 2023 failed to hold, as both sides accused each other of betrayal and interference.

By February 28, 2025, the supreme court reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, triggering further legislative pressure on Fubara. On March 17, the state assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, issued a notice of misconduct against the governor.

The federal government intervened on March 18, with President Tinubu declaring a state of emergency in Rivers, citing political instability and threats to oil infrastructure. He suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the assembly for six months, appointing retired vice-admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.

Two days later, the national assembly approved the emergency rule through a voice vote, drawing national attention to the unfolding drama in Rivers—and to Wike’s earlier words warning of the dangers of godfather politics.