Nigeria – Governor Fubara Calls On Wike To Release Control Of Rivers State For Peace To Reign

By Utebor Paul, Nigeria

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has urged his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to relinquish any control he may desire to maintain over Rivers State and allow peace to prevail. Fubara made the appeal during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

The governor expressed confidence in his decision to conduct the local government elections in the state last Saturday, despite opposition from factions within both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All-Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Wike.

“I have all the guts to do these things,” Fubara stated, insisting that Wike should release any perceived hold over the oil-rich state. He emphasized his efforts to restore peace, saying, “There is nothing I have not done on this earth for peace to reign. I can tell you the number of times I have knelt to beg to allow this issue to go.”

Fubara also revealed that he has maintained all agreements made with Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in a bid to keep the peace. Despite these efforts, tensions have persisted.

When asked what his message would be to Wike if they met, the governor replied, “I’ll tell him that 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 also stressed the importance of securing the state, saying, “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 further highlighted that the election period is over, and it is now time for governance. He appealed to Wike to give peace a chance, stating, “What I am appealing is: everyone should sheathe their swords. Even to the minister, my oga (my boss), there is no need to destroy this state.”

Fubara acknowledged Wike’s past achievements in Rivers State but emphasized that the focus should now be on supporting the current administration for the benefit of the state.

“Another person is there now. What we need now is the support. After four years or eight years, who knows? I will also leave, and someone else will take over. That should be the spirit,” Fubara concluded.