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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, reached out to him in a bid to reconcile.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike revealed that Fubara visited him alongside two governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek a peaceful resolution to their ongoing political feud. The conflict between Wike and Fubara began shortly after the latter assumed office in 2023 and intensified, eventually prompting presidential intervention. President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended Fubara for six months, and appointed a Sole Administrator.
Wike said he welcomed the reconciliation efforts but stressed that Fubara must demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace.
“The President has repeatedly called for peace, and I can’t refuse that call,” Wike said. “Yes, he came with two governors—unfortunately, they are APC governors—but I won’t chase him away. He said he wants peace, and I also want peace. There’s an open window for him; he must take the necessary steps to show he truly wants peace. This is a self-inflicted crisis—he doesn’t need it.”
Reflecting on the origins of their disagreement, Wike said he had advised Fubara to exercise humility in leadership.
“When it all started, I warned him: ‘This is not good for you. God has given you this opportunity—handle it with humility. Don’t let people mislead you,’” he added.
Wike also dismissed claims that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State was in turmoil.
“We don’t have a problem with the PDP in my state. The government is not the party, but it can work with the party. So, there’s no crisis within the PDP in Rivers,” he said.
Responding to comments reportedly made by Atedo Peterside—who described some of Fubara’s appointees as “riff-raffs”—Wike called the remarks disrespectful.
“Peterside’s comment is unfortunate. Calling appointees riff-raffs is extreme. Are PhD holders riff-raffs just because they haven’t established a bank? If they had, would they still be called riff-raffs?” he questioned.
Wike accused Peterside of contributing to the governor’s challenges and questioned his role in Fubara’s emergence.
“These are the kinds of people who created problems for the governor. When we were supporting this young man to become governor, what did Peterside contribute? He’s from Opobo LGA. How can someone make such a sweeping insult? No matter your position, your impact on your people is what truly matters,” he said.
Wike also recalled a conversation with the late Herbert Wigwe, former CEO of Access Bank, about giving back to the state.
“When Wigwe was alive, I asked him, ‘You’re based in Lagos, but you fly here all the time—what have you done for Rivers State?’ At your level, what can you point to as your contribution to the state’s development?” Wike recounted. “He told me he’d think about it. Two weeks later, he returned and said he had made a decision: he would establish a world-class university.”
