Wike Reveals the One Thing Fubara Must Do for Forgiveness

Amid the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has made a striking revelation—he is willing to forgive Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but only on one condition: sincerity.

Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike stated that despite their deepening feud, he would let go of the past if Fubara, his political godson and successor, genuinely seeks forgiveness. Asked directly whether he would forgive Fubara if approached, Wike responded simply: “Sincerely.”

The crisis between the two leaders has been escalating, rooted in a fierce battle over control of the state’s political structure and resources. What began as a quiet power struggle has now shaken the state’s political foundation, leading to the suspension of 27 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly and their subsequent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike disclosed that two unnamed governors recently approached him to help broker peace. He said he made it clear to them that he is open to reconciliation, but only if Fubara comes with honest intentions. “These two governors came to me and I said, ‘Look, I am here for peace. What does he want?’ and they said, ‘We will do everything.’ In sincerity, if anybody comes, it must be in sincerity,” he said. “The best opportunity was when the President intervened.”

Wike also weighed in on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, defending the controversial move as a necessary step to prevent chaos. He admitted he had advocated for Fubara’s outright removal but said Tinubu’s decision to instead install a sole administrator helped avert a breakdown of law and order.

“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state,” Wike said.

He emphasized that the political fallout is far from over and hinted at ongoing legal proceedings. “The matter is in court but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not on my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power play,” he added.