Amidst the ongoing power struggle between Nyesom Wike and Governor of Rivers state, Simi Fubara, some politicians in the state yesterday pledged their unflinching support for the former governor.
On Sunday, at a luncheon hosted by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister prominent politicians pulled their weight behind Wike, vowing to sink or survive with him.
The event which held in Port Harcourt, the state capital paraded who-is-who in the politics of the state, and others across the country who assured the FCT Minister that they are solidly behind him in the ongoing political battle with the state’s helmsman.
Prominent politicians who graced the event included the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, former commissioners, former lawmakers and some serving local government chairmen.
Also, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuayi and Samuel Orton of Enugu and Benue states, respectively were present at the event.
They all spoke glowingly of the FCT minister, describing him as a loyal and dedicated friend. We will stand by you, all the speakers at the event chorused, to the admiration of Wike.
According to close political watchers, the event was organsied by the FCT minister to showcase his support base, and to rally supporters against the governor who recently turned his back on Wike, his benefactor and Godfather.
Fubara rode on the back of Wike to power in May this year, but their different political interests have set them apart lately.
All effort to reconcile the duo, including that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has not yielded positive result.
Close watchers of the state, in their analysis of what transpired when feuding parties were directed by President Tinubu to sheathe their swords, told the magazine that what exist in the state currently can be described as the peace of the graveyard, that contending parties have since gone back to their trenches to prepare for the next ‘assault’.
Who among the two political gladiators will strike first? This is the big poser on the lips of those watching the dogfight in the oil bearing state, as contending forces battle for the control of the soul of the state.
Last October, barely five months after becoming the chief executive of the state, Governor Fubara had thwarted an impeachment plot against him by members of the state House of Assembly loyal to the FCT minister,
The governor had fought back, in a manner that keen watchers of politics in the state, said was a strong signal to Wike that he’s ready for a long battle.
But Fubara’s seeming victory may not last long, according to those who claimed that his predecessor is seriously plotting another deadly plot against him to bring his government down, once and for all.
They posit that Wike’s intentionally hosted the yesterday meeting to test the waters before he makes his next move.
The analysts however did not say whether Wike’s next plot against the governor would be preceded by his rumoured defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.
The FCT Minister, according to those close to him, would defect to the APC anytime from now, in preparation for the next governorship election in the state in 2027.
According to this school of thought, Wike had earlier on Saturday hinted on his next onslaught against the governor, while visiting Chief Victor Giadom, a former Vice National Chairman of the APC.
The former governor was quoted to have said he is still firmly in charge in the state.
“Forget about these hungry noisemakers on the road. When the time comes, we will know who is in charge and who is not in charge. There is a time for everything,” Wike said.
From all indications, Wike is seriously plotting his next moves Against Governor Fubara, analysts insist, warning that the governor must watch out.
The question is: when will Wike strike again?
