Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made a direct appeal to his predecessor and political mentor, Chief Nyesom Wike, urging him to step back and allow him to govern the state without interference. Fubara, who referred to Wike as his “oga” (boss), made this appeal during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, following ongoing political tensions in the state.
The governor highlighted that Rivers State was once the envy of others during Wike’s administration and expressed his desire to focus on governance, not politics. He emphasized that it was time for his administration to be allowed to deliver without unnecessary disruptions.
Fubara acknowledged the ongoing issues between him and Wike, attributing the tension to a “struggle for power and control.” He avoided going into specific details, saying, “The issue is not Fubara. It’s an issue of power and control. We all know the issue, and it’s simple.”
In his appeal, Fubara stated, “Everyone should sheath their swords. Even to the Minister, my oga, there is no need to destroy things. When the election comes, people can fight, but now is the time for governance. Rivers State needs stability, especially as we’re working on critical issues like oil production.”
Fubara also expressed his gratitude for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the ongoing crisis but voiced his concern about being the only one mentioned in the President’s statement. He stressed that the recent withdrawal of police from local government secretariats had contributed to the unrest, adding that their presence could have prevented the destruction of council properties by political opponents.
Fubara concluded by calling for peace and collaboration, noting that with the support of the police and local leaders, the situation in Rivers could stabilize.
