Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has revealed that he advocated for the outright removal of Siminalayi Fubara as Governor of Rivers State.

However, President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency and suspend Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers of the Rivers House of Assembly, effectively saved Fubara’s job, according to Wike.

Wike’s Comments
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike stated that while he wasn’t pleased about the state of emergency, he believed the president’s intervention prevented further escalation.

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.”

Wike Questions Fubara’s Silence
Wike also expressed surprise that Fubara hasn’t reached out to him since his suspension, questioning why the governor hasn’t initiated a dialogue to resolve their differences.

“Has anybody taken it upon himself or herself to say, ‘this is where we are?’ If I am the cause of the problem… has he ever called me as an elder to say what is the problem? Let us sit down and talk.”

Aftermath and New Appointment
Following the suspension, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to oversee the affairs of Rivers State for an initial period of six months.