From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed how during moments of deep reflections, he weeps when he recalls what the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, did to him.
The political resolution between the duo has intensified since Fubara’s suspension in March 2025.
“When I go back to my quiet moments, I play the video of the speeches of the governor, what he said, what he did to me, I weep,” Wike said.
He expressed disbelief over the betrayal, considering the support he had provided to Fubara in the past. “This is somebody who brought you, gave you food, gave you everything, did this to you, and then you became a tool for his enemies to fight him.”
He also shared a poignant analogy about parental sacrifice and betrayal, illustrating the depth of his hurt. “You know what you pass through by sending your son to school? You know what you pass through to make him a human being. All of a sudden, in the night, your son came with two people with guns to shoot you. Just tell me, is this something that will just go away like that from your mind? You made sure you gave your son a good education. You made sure he was provided food, you were ready to sacrifice everything you had, and you made that sacrifice. In the night, they said there are armed robbers, who are the armed robbers? Your son is the one carrying a gun. Your time is up. Somehow, God helped you. You didn’t die. Now, people come, carry our son, to come and beg you, you know, he is their son.”
When asked about Fubara’s remorse and attempts at reconciliation, Wike was skeptical: “So what is the remorse? Has he met with anybody you see? I have told people this politics of television, this politics… I feel so bad each time I read these things. I feel so bad because, yes, once Governor Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ebonyi and one of the leaders from the South West came to my house and brought him. They said he’s ready to make peace and I said I don’t have problems. If you want to make peace, he has a yam, he has a knife. He said he was travelling. He travelled. I’ve not seen Sim since that day.”
He emphasised that peace efforts must involve key political stakeholders. “Will he make peace without the assembly members? Will he make peace without the leaders of the party? I tried to be honest to people and I’ve said so. The mere fact that Mr President said look, make peace. It will be difficult for me to disobey Mr President, but he should know that it’s not water that is flowing here (pointing to his hand), it’s blood.”
He further accused Fubara’s camp of orchestrating political attacks against him. “These are people, who vowed that you will never be governor. These are people who petitioned you to EFCC. These are people who simply because of envy, how will they bring Wike down? Then you proved to yourself how to bring Wike down.”