Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday shared his thoughts on the political crisis in Rivers State that led to the March 18, 2025 imposition of emergency rule on the state and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for six months.
Wike, the immediate past governor of the state and now estranged godfather of his suspended successor, said he actually wanted Fubara completely ousted as governor only for him (governor) to be saved by the suspension.
The minister also spoke on his distrust of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, his assessment of the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 polls and why he remains resolute in his support for President Bola Tinubu for the elections.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State,” Wike said in a televised interview.
“I wanted the outright removal of the governor. The President, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.”
Continuing, Wike said: “The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the President did this, I say they should be praising him.
“Every morning, they should go to the President and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
The minister said he was not opposed to peace talks with Fubara and alleged that the governor’s advisers were the ones discouraging him from embracing peace.
