The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pushed back strongly against claims that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is enjoying overwhelming support for a second term in 2027, insisting the narrative is misleading and exaggerated.
Speaking on Wednesday during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike dismissed suggestions that the Governor’s re-election bid already has widespread backing, saying such claims do not reflect political reality.
He also addressed the lingering tension in Rivers State, recalling that President Bola Tinubu had stepped in earlier to mediate between Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly.
According to him, the Assembly complied with the President’s intervention by stepping down impeachment proceedings, but he alleged that the Governor did not fully stick to the understanding reached.
“The President intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let there be peace. And the Governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. I will not do this again. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment,” Wike said.
He further argued that after the agreement, expectations were not properly met by all sides.
“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration,” he added.
Wike was particularly blunt about the growing talk that the Governor is being “pushed by the people” to run again in 2027.
“This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please don’t tell me that. You can go and tell that to market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out – who told you that?” he said.
He questioned the logic behind such claims, adding that political decisions are never as spontaneous as they are sometimes presented.
“Which politician will say I was sleeping and they came and woke me? Even if people come to wake you, can’t you say no, I won’t do it, I’m not prepared?” he added.
Wike maintained that once arbitration is accepted, all parties are expected to respect the outcome and honour their commitments.
He concluded by stressing that the Rivers State Assembly had adhered to the President’s intervention, and the remaining issue is whether all sides will fully uphold what was agreed.
