I’ll Be Politically Finished If Fubara Gets Second Term — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said his political future would be severely damaged if Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, secures a second term in office.

Wike made the statement on Saturday during a meeting with political stakeholders in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, declaring that decisions concerning the 2027 governorship election had already been taken.

According to him, allowing Fubara another term would amount to repeating a costly political error.

“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one — no way. If we make another mistake, then we bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” Wike said.

He added that stakeholders should be clear about the direction already agreed upon ahead of 2027.

Wike has stepped up his criticism of Fubara following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month. He accused the governor of breaching the terms of a peace agreement reached before the lifting of emergency rule in Rivers State, which paved the way for Fubara’s reinstatement.

Earlier in the week, the former Rivers governor described the current political situation in the state as a “leadership mistake” that would be corrected in the next election cycle. He also said details of the agreement that facilitated Fubara’s return to office would be made public at the appropriate time.

“We will not repeat the same mistake at the state level in 2027. We will talk about it when the time comes,” Wike said, stressing that leadership decisions must reflect the interests of the people.

At another stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Wike dismissed claims that Fubara’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would guarantee his re-election.

“If you succeeded with the first arrangement, do you think the second one will work? There cannot be two markets in one day,” he said, referring to past political understandings.

He cautioned against the belief that presidential support alone would secure another term for the governor.

“Anyone assuring you that all will be well once you sign over your mandate is misleading you,” Wike said.

He reiterated that his political camp remained committed to supporting Tinubu.

“All of us have agreed to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no debate about that,” he stated.

Wike said steps were already being taken to avoid a repeat of previous political decisions in Rivers State.

“We will not make the same mistake again. We are here to correct it, and we will give Tinubu the full support required,” he said.

Questioning Fubara’s leadership approach, Wike criticised the governor’s relationship with other political office holders.

“Someone who cannot relate with local government chairmen, members of the state assembly, and members of the National Assembly — what kind of leadership is that?” he asked.

Wike also responded to Fubara’s New Year message, in which the governor reportedly described his comments as “noise.” He insisted that Fubara’s emergence as governor was largely due to his backing.

“I made him governor at a time when he was not popular among the people,” Wike said.