The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he advocated for the complete removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but it was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency that ultimately saved the embattled governor.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Friday, Wike admitted he was not pleased with the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, but acknowledged it was a decision that effectively saved Fubara from being ousted.
Tinubu’s emergency declaration suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Ordu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator.
“As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers State,” Wike said. “I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.”
The minister, who has been a dominant force in Rivers State politics, insisted that the governor’s position was already untenable before the president stepped in.
“The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him,” he said.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
Wike said he is ready for peace talks, claiming, however, that Fubara’s advisers keep telling him (the suspended governor) not to embrace peace.
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