Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he actively lobbied for the removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but it was President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency that ultimately kept Fubara in office.
Wike made the revelation during a media chat in Abuja on Friday. Despite his dissatisfaction with the emergency rule, he admitted it was the president’s move that prevented Fubara’s removal.
“As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers State,” Wike stated. “I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.”
On March 18, Tinubu suspended the governor, his deputy, and the state assembly, while appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator under constitutional emergency powers.
According to Wike, Fubara’s political fate had already been sealed before the president stepped in. “The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him,” he said.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
Wike added that he is open to peace efforts but blamed Fubara’s advisers for encouraging resistance.
