Wike Opens Up on Rift With Fubara: ‘His Biggest Mistake Came Within 100 Days’

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has blamed the lingering political crisis in Rivers State on what he described as Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to establish an independent political structure shortly after assuming office.

Speaking during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Wike said the move marked the turning point in their relationship and undermined the political machinery that backed Fubara’s emergence as governor.

The former Rivers governor said he had expected his successor to consolidate on the foundation laid by his administration and continue the state's development agenda rather than embark on an early political realignment.

According to Wike, his vision before leaving office was to position Rivers State as a leading economic and infrastructural hub capable of competing with Lagos State.

“In politics, you have to be careful. Not everyone around you wants you to succeed. We laid the foundation and expected him to continue from where we stopped so Rivers could compete with Lagos,” he said.

Wike highlighted some of the projects executed during his tenure, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road and 12 flyovers, which he said transformed the state’s transportation network and enhanced the aesthetics of the capital city.

He alleged that Fubara was influenced by individuals who neither contributed to his political rise nor had his best interests at heart, accusing them of encouraging the governor to distance himself from the structure that facilitated his election.

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“You cannot succeed alone. The mistake he made was believing he could do it by himself and setting up his own structure against the one that produced him. It didn’t take up to 100 days before we noticed something was fundamentally wrong,” Wike stated.

The minister urged political leaders to exercise caution when taking advice from associates, relatives and political allies, warning that poor counsel could lead to decisions capable of destabilising an administration.

Wike also rejected allegations that he demanded money from Fubara, describing the claims as a recurring accusation often deployed when political relationships deteriorate.

“The moment politicians disagree, the first allegation is that someone was asking for money. Why would I ask a governor for money when I am the Minister of the FCT with a budget comparable to that of a governor? That argument does not hold water,” he said.

Reflecting on his years in office, Wike said his administration remained committed to delivering projects, noting that several key initiatives were commissioned during a 31-day period before he left office.

He maintained that his expectation was for Fubara to preserve stability in Rivers State and build on the developmental strides recorded under his administration, rather than pursue a path that ultimately deepened political divisions in the state.