Wike: Fubara’s Second Term Will End My Political Career

 

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his political future would be irreparably damaged if Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, secures a second term in office.

Wike made the assertion on Saturday while addressing stakeholders at a political meeting in Okrika Local Government Area of the state, insisting that a firm decision has already been taken regarding the 2027 governorship contest.

According to him, backing Fubara again would amount to repeating a costly political error.

“As far as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is concerned, we have made our decision. As for the other one, there is no way. If we make another mistake, we will bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. That mistake will not happen again,” Wike said.

He added that stakeholders must clearly understand that the political direction ahead has been settled.

Wike resumed his open criticism of Fubara following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month. The former Rivers governor accused Fubara of violating the peace agreement that preceded the lifting of emergency rule in the state and paved the way for his return to office.

Earlier in the week, Wike described the emergence of Fubara as a “leadership mistake” and vowed that it would be corrected in the 2027 elections, promising to disclose details of the peace accord at the appropriate time.

“We will not repeat the same mistake at the state level in 2027. The time will come when we will explain everything,” he said.

In a veiled reference to the Rivers governor, Wike stressed that leadership must reflect the collective will of the people rather than personal ambition.

Backing Tinubu Not Enough

Speaking separately at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Wike dismissed claims that Fubara’s support for President Tinubu would guarantee his re-election.

He noted that his own support for Tinubu predates Fubara’s defection to the APC.

“If you succeeded with the first agreement, do you think you can succeed with a second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” he said.

Wike warned those banking on presidential backing to reconsider their assumptions.

“Anyone telling you that everything will be fine once you sing the mandate song is deceiving you. All of us have resolved to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no debate about that,” he said.

He added that efforts are underway to correct what he described as past political miscalculations.

“We will do everything possible to give the President the total support required. But we will not repeat the mistake of the past,” he said.

Questioning Fubara’s leadership capacity, Wike accused the governor of failing to maintain cordial relationships with key political actors in the state.

“Someone who cannot relate with local government chairmen, members of the House of Assembly and National Assembly — what kind of leadership does he want to offer?” he asked.

Wike also reacted to Fubara’s New Year message in which the governor dismissed his comments as “noise,” insisting that he personally ensured Fubara’s emergence as governor despite his limited popularity.