Fubara ‘Gone’ As Gov- Wike Boasts

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has nailed the coffin of Governor Siminalaye of Rivers state. The suspended governor of the oil rich state is ‘gone’ and not coming back to office, the immediate past governor of the state said.

The minister made the assertion on Friday during a media chat in Abuja,  the nation’s capital.

Wike, who was the political godfather of the governor before they went their separate ways over the struggle for the control of the state, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring an Emergency Rule in the crisis ridden state.

The magazine reported that President Tinubu had while  declaring  Emergency Rule in the state in February, following the protracted power struggle between the governor and his former ally, suspended Fubara, his Deputy and all members of the state House of Assembly.

Not a few Nigerians have described the president’s action to be illegal, amidst calls on him to reinstate Governor Fubara.

But speaking on Friday Wike affirmed that those calling for the governor’s return to office should perish the thought, he’s not coming back as his fate has been sealed, the minister said.

He also lauded President Tinubu for suspending the governor, the president’s action, according to him saved Fubara from being impeached by the lawmakers in the State House of Assembly loyal to him, scolding the people of the state for criticising the president for his action, he said, they should rather praised Tinubu for saving the state.

Part of what Wike said: “As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers state..

“I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.

“However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.

“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘can we wash your feet for saving us?’”

On March 18, 2025 President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his Deputy and the state lawmakers, saying he exercised his powers under the Constitution as the Commander-in-chief to stop the oil rich state from conflagration.