“Wike Controls Rivers’ Political Structure; Fubara Is Weak and Should Come to Beg” — Lere Olayinka

Lere Olayinka, media aide to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said his principal remains in control of the political structure in Rivers State.

Olayinka made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking on *Morning Brief*, a programme on Channels Television. He described Governor Siminalayi Fubara as politically weak, arguing that the governor does not command the key political institutions in the state.

According to Olayinka, Wike retains influence over the Rivers State House of Assembly and local government structures, despite serving in Abuja.

“If I am a minister and you are a governor, and I can control your House of Assembly, then something is wrong with you. It means you are weak,” Olayinka said.

He claimed that Wike has the loyalty of 27 lawmakers, while only three members are aligned with the governor.

“If I am in Abuja controlling 27 members of your House of Assembly, while you have only three and they no longer attend sittings, it means I am controlling the entire assembly,” he added.

Olayinka said Fubara should acknowledge his political disadvantage and seek reconciliation with Wike.

“If Wike controls the political structure and you are the governor, then he should come and beg,” he said. “If you are a governor and you can’t control any structure in your state, then what kind of governor are you?”

He also denied claims that Wike is responsible for the impeachment moves against Fubara.

“Wike is not behind Fubara’s impeachment,” Olayinka said. “If Fubara doesn’t want the impeachment, he knows what to do. This is about political navigation, not whipping up public sentiment.”

Earlier this month, the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct.

On January 16, a High Court in Port Harcourt issued an interim order restraining the chief judge of Rivers State from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has since filed an appeal against the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Most members of the assembly are considered loyal to Wike, who has openly opposed Fubara’s re-election bid. The FCT minister has accused the governor of breaching a peace agreement they both signed before President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in the state.