The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, must first seek his forgiveness before any reconciliation can occur, dismissing calls for peace talks without an apology.
Wike, through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, was responding to appeals from Niger Delta ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), who urged him to “bring his temper down” and forgive Fubara for the “greater good.” Tompolo had called for dialogue to resolve the ongoing Rivers State crisis, emphasizing the need for unity and restraint.
However, Wike insists that forgiveness requires an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a formal apology, something he claims Fubara has yet to offer. “There is no offence. It is when somebody has offended you personally that you are talking about the person seeking forgiveness or whatever. As Christians, let’s now assume that Fubara has offended the minister, do you forgive someone who has not come to you to seek forgiveness?” Olayinka stated.
Olayinka emphasized that Wike’s concerns are not personal, but rather focused on adherence to governance principles and the treatment of those who supported Fubara’s rise to power. “The minister has never said that Fubara offended him personally. He only said that Fubara should govern in accordance with the rule of law and that Fubara should not throw away those who risked their lives and resources and that is not too much to ask,” he explained.
This latest statement further escalates the already tense political climate in Rivers State, a crisis rooted in a power struggle between Wike, the former governor and influential political figure, and his successor, Fubara. The conflict stems from allegations of Fubara’s attempts to assert independence from Wike’s political influence, leading to a series of political maneuvers, including the attempted impeachment of Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is largely loyal to Wike. This resulted in a political gridlock.
The crisis has also involved legal battles, with court orders being issued and challenged, and political maneuvers that have further deepened the divide between the two political figures. The intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was initially seen as a step towards resolution, but the current pronouncements from Wike show that lasting peace is far from being achieved.
Olayinka further questioned Fubara’s change in attitude towards Wike, highlighting their past close working relationship. “He is the one to go for soul-searching because throughout the time he was working with this same Wike, throughout the time Wike was facing the bullet for him, Wike was not a bad person then. So, at what point did Wike become a bad person to him?” he asked.
The aide concluded with a proverb, “You are begging a doctor to provide medicine for someone that is sick, but you are not begging the person that is sick to take the medicine. What happens?” indicating that without Fubara’s willingness to seek forgiveness, any attempt at reconciliation is futile.
“No Peace Talks, Fubara Must Seek My Forgiveness First” – Wike Tells Tompolo
