Former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, on Tuesday, advised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to reconcile with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rather than engaging in political confrontation with his predecessor.
Fayose, who spoke on an ARISE TV NEWS programme, said, “My own position is always clear. Fubara, my governor, all of them, got their strength from other people.”
The former Ekiti governor spoke against the backdrop of the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which continues to worsen the political instability in Rivers State.
Fayose stressed the importance of humility and reconciliation in governance, citing examples from other states.
“Look at Kogi. Why are we not having issues in Kogi? Why is Governor Kogi being very humble? Whatever you say about Yahaya Bello, he doesn’t want to hear it. Whatever anybody comes to say to him about Yahaya, he remembered the day Yahaya Bello gave him that platform,” he said.
Fayose, who also recalled the advice he gave to his successor in Ekiti, said, “I told my governor, whatever governor Fayemi, what I’ve done to you, or whatever way you feel, don’t worry about that. Remember the day he gave you that platform. Don’t say ill of him, cooperate with him, and he thanked me for such advice. If it were other people, they’ll take advantage of the situation.”
Commenting on the title of “001” in Rivers politics, Fayose warned Fubara against challenging Wike’s authority.
He added, “There’s a difference between the office and 001. What brought about the 001? Who gave you the platform to call yourself the 001? It is a sad narrative for Governor Fubara to be struggling. Rather, he should manage the situation.
“Even if Wike is saying he is the leader, it is not to the mouth of Fubara to be contesting that. We all know the truth.”
The former Ekiti governor urged Fubara to seek peace and reconciliation.
“Let me tell you again. I want to advise Governor Fubara again. Please, Governor Fubara, I’m begging you, go and make amends and be at peace.”
Responding to claims that Fubara had already apologised to Wike, Fayose distinguished between genuine remorse and apologies made merely to calm tensions.
“Those people leading on Governor Fubara, if Governor Fubara goes down today, they will run away. People who were saying I should fight back those days, they were not there when I was isolated and when I was alone,” he said.
Fayose added that Fubara must learn from past political lessons.
“The emergency rule was all-winning for Governor Fubara. By now, Governor Fubara would have been history because the moment you are impeached, you’re out of the way. You can’t contest. If you read the context of President Tinubu, he took the governor, Governor Fubara, to the cleaners. It is time for Governor Fubara to learn. Learn the way I learned my lesson after my first tenor,” he said.
Fayose concluded by urging Fubara to respect both constitutional obligations and political mentorship. “Constitution is binding on you, binding on me and binding on Rivers people. That is the more reason why Governor Fubara, I’m saying it again, climb down from his high horse, look for his brother, his leader, the man who was thoughtful enough to say among all you brides, I will marry you, come to the office of the governor.”
Recall that the Rivers State House Assembly recently initiated impeachment proceedings to remove Governor Fubara from office.
The House accused Fubara of gross misconduct, citing allegations including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
The development comes amid a protracted feud between former governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, which has plunged Rivers State into political instability since late 2023.
The crisis reportedly stems from a power struggle over control of the state’s political structure, including the Peoples Democratic Party apparatus and the State Assembly.
While the House has denied claims that the impeachment initiative was influenced by Wike, reports indicate that the President has intervened in the dispute.
