Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that he would not be governor without the support of his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking at the New Telegraph Newspaper Awards in Lagos, where he was named “Man of the Year 2025,” Fubara dedicated the honour to Wike, acknowledging his role in his political emergence despite their well-publicised differences .
“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it. I also dedicate this award to somebody who discovered me, not minding the situation – the Honourable Minister of the FCT, my oga, Nyesom Wike,” Fubara stated. “Without him, I wouldn’t be standing here as governor. He discovered me and it’s a discovery that gave me this loudness. Thank you for everything” .
The governor also dedicated the award to God, his family, and the people of Rivers State, praising their patience and maturity amid the state’s protracted political crisis .
Fubara explained that his calm disposition during political turbulence was deliberate, describing perceived weakness as a virtue. “I chose for a lot of reasons to be weak. Weak because I want peace. Weak because I need to also protect those things that are dear not just to me, but to our dear nation,” he said .
The acknowledgment comes days after President Bola Tinubu brokered a peace meeting between Fubara and Wike at the Presidential Villa, with both leaders departing together in what sources described as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation . Following that meeting, Fubara dissolved the Rivers State Executive Council, a move analysts linked to peace negotiations .
The rift between the two leaders had dominated Rivers politics since 2023, leading to impeachment attempts, a temporary state of emergency, and multiple interventions by President Tinubu .
—
Disclaimer:
© 2026 CDA News Nigeria. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. | Privacy Policy | Contact
