Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says he is emotionally pained by recent remarks made by his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, adding that he often breaks down in private when watching videos of the Governor’s statements about him.
Speaking during his regular media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike addressed the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, dismissing claims of a personal crisis with Fubara. When asked if it was time to lift the state of emergency declared in Rivers, he said only President Bola Tinubu had the authority to do so.
“I don’t have any crisis with Fubara. If Mr. President had consulted me before declaring the state of emergency, I wouldn’t have supported it. He alone knows why it was imposed and when to lift it,” Wike said.
The minister added that the emergency measures were, in his view, intended to protect the Governor from impeachment, not necessarily a reflection of good governance.
Wike, however, expressed deep emotional hurt over Fubara’s actions and public statements.
“Sometimes in my quiet moments, I replay videos of the Governor’s speeches. I ask myself, ‘Was this necessary?’ I weep. I never wanted a crisis. But he unknowingly became a tool for those who couldn’t fight me directly,” he lamented.
Wike also fired shots at another political rival, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent statement claiming he was “hungry” amid Nigeria’s economic hardship.
Amaechi, during his 60th birthday celebration, said:
“We’re all hungry. If you’re not, I am. If the opposition wants, we can remove the man in power.”
In a fiery response, Wike described Amaechi’s comment as insincere and politically motivated.
“Imagine using your 60th birthday to mislead Nigerians. Since 1999, Amaechi has been in power, Speaker, Governor, Minister. He never talked about hunger then. Now he’s out of power and suddenly he’s hungry?” Wike queried.
He continued:
“They’re only hungry for power, not food. He couldn’t even secure 25% for Buhari in Rivers during the last election. He just can’t stay away from power. Now he’s talking about removing the President, how? Through a coup?”
Wike described himself as a valuable asset to the Tinubu administration and affirmed his commitment to ensuring the President wins a second term.
“I’m not a liability. I’m an asset. You may not like me, but I deliver results. Let Amaechi start from Rivers before talking about removing a sitting President.”
