Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning that his political career would be “buried” if Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara succeeds in securing a second term.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika Local Government Area on Saturday, Wike declared that the decision regarding Fubara’s reelection ambition had been firmly taken.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one [Fubara] — no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” Wike stated bluntly. “So everybody should know we have made a decision.”
This marks an escalation in Wike’s open condemnation of Fubara, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month. The FCT minister accused the governor of violating a peace agreement that had underpinned the lifting of the emergency rule in Rivers, an arrangement that facilitated Fubara’s return to office.
Earlier in the week, Wike promised to expose details of the so-called “leadership mistake” in Rivers State and pledged to correct it in the 2027 elections. “Leaders are supposed to serve the people’s will, not personal ambitions,” he said in a pointed reference to Fubara.
### ‘Supporting Tinubu Won’t Save Fubara’
At another meeting in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA on Friday, Wike dismissed suggestions that Fubara’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure his reelection. Wike emphasized that he had supported Tinubu long before Fubara joined the APC.
“If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” Wike remarked, alluding to the peace agreements previously made.
He also criticized Fubara’s leadership style, questioning how the governor could effectively lead without strong relations with local government chairpersons and legislators.
Responding to Fubara’s dismissal of Wike’s comments as mere “noise,” the minister reminded that he was instrumental in helping Fubara become governor despite the latter’s initial lack of popularity.
