By Muhammad Mamman
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has taken a fresh swipe at Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing his political rivals of putting on a show in public while struggling privately.
Speaking during a public event in Port Harcourt, Fubara said some politicians project strength in the media but break down when the cameras stop rolling.
“They can come to the media and dance; when they go behind, they cry,” the governor said, in what many observers view as a direct jab at his predecessor and now-rival, Wike.
The remark adds a new layer to the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, where both men have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Fubara took office in 2023.
Fubara suggested that the public should be wary of political theatrics, saying that media bravado often hides deeper challenges. Although he did not mention Wike by name, the context and timing of his comments have reinforced perceptions of a continuing rift.
Political analysts say the feud, which has influenced state politics and national conversations, shows no sign of easing despite interventions from party leaders and elders.
Wike has yet to respond to the governor’s latest remarks, but his allies have repeatedly denied claims of backstage political pressure or internal distress.
The Rivers crisis remains one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political dramas, with implications for governance in the oil-rich state and the wider national political landscape.
