Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has advised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to seek reconciliation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rather than engage in prolonged political confrontation.
Fayose gave the advice during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, while commenting on the lingering power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which has continued to fuel political instability in Rivers State.
“My own position is always clear. Fubara, my governor, all of them, got their strength from other people,” Fayose said, stressing that political leaders often emerge through the support and backing of influential figures.
He emphasised the need for humility in governance, citing examples from other states where successor-governor relationships have remained stable.
“Look at Kogi. Why are we not having issues in Kogi? Why is the governor being very humble? Whatever you say about Yahaya Bello, he doesn’t want to hear it. He remembers the day Yahaya Bello gave him that platform,” Fayose stated.
Recalling similar advice he offered his successor in Ekiti State, Fayose said he urged cooperation rather than conflict.
“I told my governor, whatever you feel about Fayemi, don’t worry about that. Remember the day he gave you that platform. Don’t say ill of him, cooperate with him, and he thanked me for such advice,” he said.
The former governor also cautioned Fubara against challenging Wike’s political influence in Rivers State, particularly the title of “001” in the state’s political hierarchy.
“There’s a difference between the office and 001. Who gave you the platform to call yourself the 001? It is a sad narrative for Governor Fubara to be struggling. Rather, he should manage the situation,” Fayose warned.
According to him, even if Wike insists on being regarded as the political leader in Rivers, it is not the place of Governor Fubara to openly contest that position.
Fayose directly appealed to the Rivers governor to pursue peace, noting that political allies often disappear when crises escalate.
“Please Governor Fubara, I’m begging you, go and make amends and be at peace. Those people leading you on, if you go down today, they will run away,” he said.
He further urged Fubara to learn from past political experiences, warning that impeachment could end his political career prematurely.
“The emergency rule was all-winning for Governor Fubara. By now, he would have been history. Once you are impeached, you are out of the way,” Fayose said, adding that the governor must learn political lessons, just as he did after his first term in office.
Fayose concluded by urging Fubara to respect both constitutional authority and political mentorship, advising him to “climb down from his high horse” and seek reconciliation with Wike.
Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
The lawmakers accused the governor of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary spending, and defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
The impeachment move comes amid the prolonged feud between Wike and Fubara, which has plunged Rivers State into political uncertainty since late 2023. The crisis is believed to stem from a power struggle over control of the state’s political structure, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apparatus and the State Assembly.
Although the House has denied claims that the impeachment is being influenced by Wike, reports indicate that President Bola Tinubu has intervened in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
