Wike Laments Tinubu’s Intervention in Rivers Crisis, Says He Wanted Fubara Removed

By Peter Onyekachukwu, Rivers

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, revealing that he had preferred the outright removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara rather than the declaration of a state of emergency and suspension.

Speaking during a media interaction with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Wike, who served as the immediate past governor of Rivers State, said Tinubu’s intervention was aimed at preventing further political chaos in the state. However, he made it clear that the president’s approach did not sit well with him.

“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers State. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. 

“But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy.”

President Tinubu had, in March, declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State amid a deepening political feud between Wike and Governor Fubara. The president also announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as sole administrator to oversee the state during the period.

The political standoff in Rivers began after lawmakers loyal to Wike launched an impeachment move against Governor Fubara, a development that triggered public outcry and drew threats from militant groups threatening to disrupt oil production in the region.

Wike, however, insisted that his interest was purely political, and he had no reason to support the embattled governor.

“The matter is in court, but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not in my place to make it good for the governor,” Wike said. “As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable, and that is why there is power play.”

The crisis has continued to raise concerns over governance and peace in the oil-rich state, even as both camps remain locked in a fierce political battle.