Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has ruled out any possibility of President Bola Tinubu sidelining the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to protect Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the escalating political turmoil in the state.
Speaking on ARISE Television on Tuesday, Fayose said Wike’s political relevance and strategic importance to President Tinubu far outweigh Fubara’s standing, insisting the President has no incentive to abandon his FCT minister.
“The Asiwaju I know will not dump Wike for Fubara,” Fayose said. “Wike came all the way from Rivers to support President Tinubu, and that loyalty counts.”
According to Fayose, Wike’s value lies not only in his performance in Abuja but also in his ability to deliver electoral outcomes for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Wike is performing in Abuja. We’ve never had it this good in the FCT,” he said. “APC won the local government elections in Rivers because of Wike, and APC will also win in Abuja. What else does the President want?”
The former governor’s comments come as the Rivers State House of Assembly moves to impeach Fubara over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
The impeachment process is the latest flashpoint in a prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, a feud that has thrown Rivers State into political uncertainty since late 2023. At the heart of the crisis is a battle for control of the state’s political machinery, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure and the legislature.
While the Assembly has denied that Wike is behind the impeachment plot, Fayose suggested that Fubara miscalculated by escalating the dispute instead of seeking reconciliation.
“If Governor Fubara is running to the President for help, then he should understand that humility is key in politics,” Fayose said. “What he’s looking for is already within his reach, but pride won’t let him see it.”
Fayose urged Fubara to “climb down from his high horse” and make peace with Wike, warning that challenging the former governor’s influence could be politically disastrous.
“There’s a difference between holding office and being the political leader,” he said. “Who gave you the platform to become governor? Even if Wike insists he is the leader, it is not Fubara’s place to contest it.”
Drawing from his own political experience, Fayose cautioned that those encouraging confrontation would quickly disappear if Fubara’s position became untenable.
“People who push you to fight will vanish when trouble comes,” he said. “I’ve lived through it. When you are alone, they won’t be there.”
He also dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu was responsible for the internal crisis within the PDP, describing the opposition party as fractured by its own internal conflicts.
“The PDP’s problems are self-inflicted,” Fayose said. “You can’t blame your neighbour when your house is on fire.”
Fayose concluded by warning that impeachment could permanently end Fubara’s political career, urging the governor to prioritise peace and political survival over pride.
“If you are impeached, you are finished politically,” he said. “This is the time for Governor Fubara to learn and make peace before it is too late.”
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