The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said his political career would be destroyed if Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, is re-elected for a second term.
Wike made the statement on Saturday while addressing stakeholders at a meeting in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he disclosed that a firm decision had already been taken regarding Fubara’s 2027 ambition.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one [Fubara] — no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” he said.
“So everybody should know we have made a decision.”
The FCT minister renewed his criticism of Fubara following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month.
Wike accused Fubara of violating the peace agreement reached before the suspension of the emergency rule in Rivers State, which enabled the governor to return to office.
On Tuesday, Wike said the “leadership mistake” in Rivers would be corrected in 2027 and promised to make public the details of the peace agreement that restored Fubara’s mandate.
In what appeared to be a reference to the governor, Wike said leadership should reflect the will of the people rather than personal ambitions.
“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027, but we will talk about it later when the time comes,” Wike said.
‘SUPPORTING TINUBU WON’T SAVE FUBARA’
Addressing stakeholders in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on Friday, Wike said Fubara’s support for President Bola Tinubu would not guarantee his re-election, stressing that he had backed Tinubu long before the governor joined the APC.
“If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” Wike said, in a veiled reference to the peace agreements with Fubara.
“So, whoever is assuring you that everything will be fine once you sign on your mandate [Tinubu’s political signature song], you are mistaken.
“All of us have decided to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no discussion about that.
“Of course, you know we won’t make the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct the mistake. We will do all we can to ensure that we give Tinubu all the total support that is required.
“Someone [Fubara] who cannot relate with the local government chairmen, state assembly members, and national assembly members. What kind of leadership do you want to provide?”
Wike also reacted to Fubara’s New Year comment in which the governor dismissed his remarks as “noise”.
The FCT minister said he was responsible for making Fubara governor, despite the latter not being widely popular among the people.