By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Federal Capital Territory, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Fridayn January 2, 2025, foreclosed the possibilities of any reprieve for his estranged political godson Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This is as he insisted that there can never be two captains steering a ship at the same time.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council of the State in continuation of his thank-you-visit to the grassroots, the immediate past Governor of Rivers state reiterated that money cannot save his successor in office from a crushing and humiliating defeat in 2027.
According to Wike, Governor Fubara has demonstrated his inability to maintain a cordial working relationship with local council officials, state lawmakers and other critical stakeholders, and, therefore, clearly proven to be ineffective and untrustworthy.
The FCT Minister vowed that there will never be any second chance for Governor Fubara who he has accused of betrayal and inability to honour agreements.
Wike reaffirmed that no amount of Fubara’s professed support for President Bola Tinubu, nor the purported support of Atiku Abubakar’s loyalists in the State, will alter the resolve by the people to shove him aside in 2027.
“We must make decisions. I heard somebody saying that those who worked for Atiku Abubakar in Rivers state are back. They couldn’t secure even 10 per cent votes for Atiku in 2023. So, what is the importance of their coming together again? I will not call their names because you already know them.
“But the fact remains that Rivers State cannot afford to be led again by someone who cannot honour an agreement brokered by Mr President.
“Like I keep on saying, money and the gathering of Atiku Abubakar’s loyalists will not solve this problem the Governor has started.
“Tell Rivers State people what was discussed with the President. If you succeeded with the first act of betrayal, that was resolved, definitely you will not succeed with the second one.
“There cannot be two captains in one ship. So, whoever is assuring you (Governor Fubara) that when you shout “on your mandate we stand”, all is well, then you are being deceived”, Wike stated.
The Source reports that since last weekend, the FCT Minister has been hauling all manners of threats at the person and office of the Rivers state Governor, citing alleged unfulfilled pact brokered between his camp and that of Governor Fubara by President Tinubu as a major reason for his belligerent posture.
Consequently, Wike has vowed to supplant Fubara as the Rivers State Governor come 2027.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara on Friday, swore-in five new Special Advisers with a charge to assist in the administration’s resolve to move forward and recover lost grounds.
He harped on the need for the new appointees to work together as well as remain dedicated and loyal to the ideals and vision of the administration with a view to ensuring effective service delivery and people-oriented governance.
According to the Governor, the appointment of the Special Advisers is aimed at strengthening governance structures, and ensures that the wheels of governance continue to function unimpeded.
The Source further reports that post emergency rule, the Governor has been forced by the usual unfriendly and uncooperative disposition of the pro-Nyesom Wike state lawmakers to be operating with mostly permanent secretaries in the absence of a properly constituted state Executive Council.
The Governor apart from a few Commissioners whom he worked with before he fell out with Wike, and who did not resign after they fell out, has not been able to submit a list of Commissioner-nominees as well as the 2026 fiscal estimate to the House of Assembly owing to the tense relationship between the two arms of Government.
“What we are doing this afternoon is bringing in some persons on board to ensure that the wheels of governance continue to roll smoothly in our state.
“I believe that these appointees are not new faces. They have been with us, and they had worked with us before in different capacities.
“They understand the philosophy of this administration and it will not be a problem following and ensuring that our goals are achieved
“So, my charge is not much because you already know what we have come to do. It is not pleasure. It is work. And every one of you here that had been assigned some responsibilities in time past had equally proven yourself. I am very sure that this time around it won’t be different.”
It is strongly believed that more of such appointments will be coming in the days ahead as a bait to the Wike conundrum.
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