The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said his political camp is not working with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who is reportedly seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2027 governorship election.
Wike made the statement during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, May 6, where he accused the governor of failing to honour an agreement reached with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the presence of President Bola Tinubu.
“You know that we and Fubara are not working. So, as politicians, we must strategize, I don’t need to come and unveil our strategy to you.
“The president intervened in the impeachment palava and said ‘hold on, let’s have peace’. And the governor said ‘I am ready for peace, I’m no longer interested in this, I will not do this’.
“The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment before a president of a country. Now, having withdrawn the impeachment, you are now too smart on what you agreed before the president,” he said.
The political tension between Wike and Fubara has lingered since 2023, when the governor, who had the backing of his predecessor, assumed office. The fallout has largely revolved around control of political structures in the oil-rich state.
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The crisis intensified when lawmakers loyal to Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule, initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor.
In response, President Tinubu declared emergency rule in March 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
During the period, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state.
The emergency rule lasted for six months before it was lifted, allowing all suspended officials to return to office.
The resolution followed a meeting in June involving President Tinubu, Governor Fubara, Wike, Amaewhule, and other lawmakers, which led to a temporary reconciliation among the key actors.
However, Wike’s latest remarks indicate that divisions within Rivers State’s political leadership remain unresolved, especially as the 2027 election approaches.