The political tension between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has escalated into a full-blown crisis. Governor Fubara, in a heartfelt appeal on Monday, called on Wike to allow peace to reign, revealing that he had repeatedly begged his predecessor to end the growing hostility in the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Fubara disclosed that he had “knelt down” on multiple occasions to plead with Wike for peace, but his efforts had been in vain. Despite his attempts to maintain harmony, Wike's loyalists from both the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resisted the governor’s actions, leading to a wave of violence following last Saturday’s controversial local government elections.
“There is nothing I have not done on this earth for peace to reign,” Fubara lamented. “I can tell you the number of times I have knelt to beg that let’s allow this issue to go. I have done everything.”
When asked what his message to Wike would be if they met face-to-face, Fubara said, “It has gotten to a point where he needs to let go. We need peace in this state. You don’t necessarily need to win all the fights; at times, you just let go for the sake of the good people of Rivers State and the love that you have always professed for the state.”
Fubara emphasized the importance of securing the state’s future, warning that political turmoil could have far-reaching consequences. “Fubara will leave tomorrow. Who knows who is going to come? It might be through him or another person, but we need to secure the state.”
He urged all parties involved to sheath their swords, including Wike. “He once ruled this state and the state was the envy of every other state. Another person is there now, what we need now is support. After four years or eight years, I will also leave, and someone else will take over. That should be the spirit.”
The growing animosity between the two political heavyweights reached a boiling point over the weekend when Rivers State conducted local council elections. Despite widespread resistance from Wike’s loyalists in both the PDP and APC, as well as the withdrawal of police support, Governor Fubara went ahead with the election on Saturday.
The state was plunged into chaos on Monday, just one day after 22 newly elected local government chairmen were sworn in. Violent clashes erupted in at least four local government areas, with political thugs setting parts of the Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua council secretariats ablaze in a bid to prevent the new officials from assuming office.
In Ahoada East, sporadic gunfire was reported as armed groups attempted to resist the newly appointed council members. The violence followed the withdrawal of police personnel from the 23 council secretariats, as ordered by the Commissioner of Police.
“When it comes to the election period, you can fight and do whatever, but now is the time for governance. We need all the support.”
