The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the political crisis that engulfed Rivers State prevented Governor Siminalayi Fubara from pursuing a second term, attributing the development to poor political advice and the influence of external interests.
Speaking during his monthly media chat aired on Channels Television on Tuesday, Wike said he repeatedly cautioned Fubara against abandoning the political structure that facilitated his emergence as governor.
According to the former Rivers State governor, he expected his successor to build on the foundation his administration had laid rather than distance himself from it.
Wike recalled the challenges he encountered when he assumed office, saying he inherited an administration with limited resources and had to borrow ceremonial vehicles from former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
He added that before leaving office, his administration renovated the Government House and provided official vehicles for the governor, deputy governor and the governor’s wife.
The FCT minister alleged that individuals who had opposed Fubara’s emergence later became his close allies and encouraged him to confront those who supported his rise to power.
He maintained that while he had not suffered any political loss from the disagreement, Fubara ultimately lost the opportunity to seek re-election.
Responding to a question on whether he still had affection for the Rivers governor, Wike said his support for Fubara’s emergence was proof of the goodwill he once had toward him.
Wike also disclosed that attempts were made to reconcile both camps but said the efforts failed due to political considerations.
He further alleged that external interests sought to take control of Rivers State for financial gain, claiming that some influential figures, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, provided Fubara with legal and political advice that worsened the crisis.
The political rift between Wike and Fubara began shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023, escalating into a prolonged power struggle involving the Rivers State House of Assembly and repeated impeachment threats.
The crisis culminated in President Bola Tinubu declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025, temporarily suspending the governor and the state legislature.
Following his reinstatement, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, citing appreciation for President Tinubu’s intervention.
Although he later obtained nomination forms to contest the APC governorship primaries, he withdrew from the race in May 2026.
In July 2026, Fubara publicly announced his return to Wike’s political camp, joined the Rainbow Coalition backing President Tinubu, and endorsed the coalition’s preferred governorship candidate.