Wike’s Desperate Dirty Fights
Former Governor of Rivers State and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike is one politician who defies morality and decorum to get whatever he wants at any cost, not minding whose ox is gored even in unpredictable circumstances in Nigeria’s political arena
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
Give it to him, the immediate past governor of oil rich River State and now Minister of Federal Capital Territory Abuja (FCT), Nyesom Wike is one politician who knows how to bulldoze his way to the top echelons of politics no matter the odds.
In 2011, the Then President Goodluck Jonathan nominated Tonye Cole, as a Minister nominee from River State. But over night, Wike who was then Chief of Staff to former governor, Rotimi Amaechi showcased his political sagacity as a master of displacement, outsmarted Tonye Cole and got enlisted in the ministerial new nominees and was later appointed as Minister of State for Education against Tonye Cole who was earlier chosen.
For years, Wike has remained the undisputed political strong man of Rivers State. He controlled party structures, determined candidates and shaped political outcome with confidence and confrontation. His installation of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as governor appeared to confirm his dominance.
The question in the lips of many political watchers in the state is who is really in charge of Rivers politics? For many, Governor Fubara holds the office, but Wike holds the political aces or structure.
Governor Fubara, a sitting governor, a member of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) the leader of APC in the state and the highest financier of the party in River state made the list of APC Presidential campaign council and Rivers State Coordinator.
At the last minute, Fubara was left out in the campaign council as coordinator of his state and replaced with a Minister who is not a member of the ruling party, APC. He was replaced with Nyesom Wike Minister of Federal Capital Territory and the National Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Leader of Rainbow Coalition, despite recommendations from Governor Hope Uzodinma and Progressive Governors Forum.
While Governor Fubara remains the only governor left out in the campaign council as coordinator of his state, the Minister, Nyesom Wike dismissed claims that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has been sidelined in the APC/Rainbow Coalition campaign, insisting that he remains actively involved in its campaign activities.
Speaking in an interview, covered by TVC News, Wike said Fubara’s quiet personality should not be mistaken for political exclusion.
“Fubara is in the team. If you know Fubara very well, he has always been very quiet. He has not been pushed aside by anybody”, he said, adding that at both state and national levels.
Giving insight on why governor Fubara was dropped as a state coordinator for APC Presidential campaign council, Wike explained that the Rivers state is a political unique state, arguing that its circumstances required a different political approach.
Ben Nwoko, an APC staunch member agrees with Wike, saying that Wike is a dogged politician with capacity while Governor Fubara is a gentle politician with no political strength to deliver President Bola Tinubu in 2027 election.
Meanwhile the minister who is also to FCT Presidential Campaign Council Coordinated also directed all PDP House of Representative Candidates and Senate to step down for all APC candidates in the upcoming election.
A social critic in Port-Harcourt, Victor Chidozie agrees with those who expressed joy that Governor Fubara was not appointed APC Presidential Campaign Council Coordinator in Rivers state.
“That job is a very dirty job to do. Our Governor is too prim and proper to be saddled with their task of marketing a bad product. Let’s face it, Tinubu is a hard sell, especially in River state. No matter how polished the salesman is, a bad product remains a bad product”, said Victor Chidozie.
Lawyer Chetem Nwala also accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of using supporters of Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his political interests.
Speaking on Channels TV, Nwala commented on the visit of Rain bow Coalition, led by Wike, to Fubara’s private residence in Port-Harcourt, he claimed Wike had taken control of positions that should have gone to Fubara’s supporters, while also faulting the governor for failing to protect them.
Nwala alleged that Wike was gathering the supporters because he expected significant challenges in 2027 River state election. According to him, the reconciliation between him and member of the defunct Simplified Movement appear to be a strategic move to protect his political relevance beyond the 2027 general election.
Again, Wike needs to prove to President Bola Tinubu that he still commands strong grass roots support in River state, especially amid his disagreement with some APC governors.
The National President South-South Youths Initiative, (SSSYI) Saviour Imeabe Oscar said that Wike’s latest move is a political hypocrisy of the highest order and a dangerous precedent for our democracy. He said Wike was governor of Rivers state for eight year, despite the high level of hardship and outcry from Rivers people over his style of governance, he was still allowed to complete his second tenure uninterrupted. Nobody truncated his government. Nobody declared his seat vacant. Nobody sponsored impeachment against him despite all the public complaints.
“Why then is the same man who enjoyed the grace of completing his two tenures now led a plot to deny Fubara the right to enjoy his own core constitutional 2 term tenure?” said Saviour Oscar.
Paul Deeyah in his own reaction said every political position has been taken by Wike’s supporters. Sim Fubara did not get a House of Assembly member. He didn’t get a House of Representative seat neither did he get a Senatorial seat position.
“So, what did he negotiate for his follower at his meeting, is it just to help Fubara secure victory for Wike’s Candidate to their own detriment? Does governor Fubara truly love these his supporter to the extent of wanting them to grow and survive politically or he just wanted to lead them to perpetual political servitude”.
Continuing he said Wike is playing a very intelligent game and gimmick to deceive and enslave Sim Fubara’s supporters. They should be extremely careful because Wike has nothing meaningful to offer them. The only thing he will do is give you temporary gains like money and contract that will not last and then keep you in the dark, Paul warned Fubara supporters.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu has sent subtle warning to those promoting rainbow coalition while claiming to be supporting President Tinubu.
According to her, it is the President’s political party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) the President’s political ballot Paper and not the President name.
Hence, she explained that the focus must be on promoting the party rather than an individual candidates, she enjoined those who are genuinely supporting the president to focus on promoting the APC rather than maintaining divided allegiance to the party.
