A former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose, has stated that President Bola Tinubu will not sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in favor of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the ongoing political turmoil in the state.
Fayose made the comment during an interview on Arise Television aired on Tuesday.
He was addressing the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which continues to contribute to political instability in Rivers State.
Fayose emphasized that Wike is more politically significant to President Tinubu than Fubara, suggesting that the President has little reason to discard the former Rivers governor.
“But let me say this to Nigerians, the Asiwaju that I know will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara. Wike came from Rivers to give support to President Tinubu,” Fayose stated.
He highlighted that Wike’s political importance to the President is linked to his performance as FCT minister and his ability to secure electoral wins for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Wike is in Abuja performing; we’ve never had it so good in Abuja, even a blind man can’t deny that,” he added.
“The local government elections in Rivers, APC won them courtesy of Wike. The coming local government elections in Abuja, APC will still win them. So, what else will the President want from Wike?” Fayose asked.
The remarks come as the Rivers State Assembly has initiated proceedings to impeach Governor Fubara.
The house has accused the governor of gross misconduct, including demolishing the assembly complex, unauthorized spending, and ignoring a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
This situation unfolds amid a longstanding feud between Wike and Fubara, which has destabilized Rivers State since late 2023.
The conflict arose from a battle over control of the state’s political machinery, including the Peoples Democratic Party structures and the State Assembly.
While the House denied that Wike influenced the impeachment attempt, reports suggest that President Tinubu has stepped in to mediate the dispute.
Addressing claims that Governor Fubara sought the President’s intervention, Fayose interpreted it as a sign of political arrogance on the governor’s part.
“If Governor Fubara has gone to meet the President (in France), then it shows he needs help. When you don’t praise God, when you refuse to humble yourself and look for peace, you’ll just be running helter-skelter. What he’s looking for is inside his pocket,” he said.
Fayose also commented on the internal struggles within the Peoples Democratic Party, rejecting the notion that President Tinubu is to blame for the party’s issues.
“The challenges in the PDP are not the fault of Asiwaju,” he said. “Failure in my home, God forbid, is not the fault of my neighbour.”
He described the opposition party as weakened by internal divisions and self-inflicted conflicts.
“The PDP caused themselves an insurrection. It’s a house that is divided against itself, and the nature of man is survival of the fittest,” Fayose concluded.