Rivers crisis: Wike reveals how Fubara visited him with two APC Govs to beg

By Jude Opara

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike has confirmed that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara begged him for reconciliation.

Wike said Fubara visited him with two governors of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), to seek reconciliation.

He disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday.

Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since the latter assumed office as governor in 2023.

The crisis led to President Bola Tinubu suspending Fubara for six months after declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, while appointing a Sole Administrator.

However, Wike said Fubara needs to take certain necessary steps to fully restore peace.

Wike said, “The President had called for peace severally and I can’t sit down and say no when the President has called for peace.

“Yes he came with two Governors, unfortunately they are APC Governors – I won’t pursue him. He said he wants peace and I also want peace.

“This means that there are open window for you and take the necessary steps that you want peace. This is a self inflicted injury, he doesn’t need it.

“When it started I called him saying this thing is not good for you because God has given it to you, why not humbly handle it and not allow people push you?”

Wike also declared that the PDP has no problem in Rivers State.

He added: “We don’t have problem with PDP in my state. Government is not the party but government could work with the party, so there is no problem with PDP in my state.

“Atedo Peterside’s comment is unfortunate, saying appointees are riff-raffs is too extreme. PHD holders are riff-raffs because they could not establish a bank. If they had established a bank, they won’t have been riff-raffs.

“These are some of the people who caused problems for the Governor. When we were making this young man Governor, what was Peterside’s contribution? He’s from Opobo LGA.

“How can a man give a blanket insult that people are riff-raffs? Look, whatever position you occupy, your impact on your people is key.

“When Wigwe was alive, I called him – look you are in Lagos and everyday you fly down here, what have you done for Rivers State? At the level you are, what can you say you have contributed for the development of the state?

“He looked at me and said he would return in two weeks time. He came back, he said that he has thought about it. He told me he was going to setup a world class university.”