In a stunning revelation, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, disclosed that he initially pushed for the outright removal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, but it was President Bola Tinubu’s intervention through the declaration of a state of emergency that ultimately spared the embattled governor.
During a media chat on Friday in Abuja, Wike expressed dissatisfaction with the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State on March 18, 2025, but admitted that it was the very measure that saved Fubara from being ousted.
Wike, who has been at the heart of the political turmoil in the state, said, "As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers State. I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara."
Despite the political tensions, Wike insisted that Fubara’s position had become untenable before President Tinubu stepped in with his decision, stating, "The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him."
The minister added, "Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, 'Can we wash your feet for saving us?'"
Wike also indicated his openness to peace talks, but claimed that Fubara’s advisers continue to discourage him from embracing peace.
This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the political crisis in Rivers State, leaving the public to question the extent of political influence and presidential involvement in state governance.
