The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly announced his forgiveness of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, revealing that they recently reconnected via phone after enduring months of political unrest in the state.
“I cannot engage with someone I have not forgiven,” Wike stated during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Thursday evening.
“Just yesterday, I had a conversation with the governor. It’s irrelevant who initiated the call; what matters is that we communicated. He informed me he was departing the following morning, and I told him I was returning that same night. This shows that peace has been restored, as reflected in the assembly’s actions today,” he added.
Wike praised President Bola Tinubu for lifting the emergency rule previously imposed on Rivers State, describing the decision as a bold and necessary step that helped restore stability.
“I want to commend Mr. President for ending the emergency rule in Rivers. Many people suddenly became constitutional experts and legal analysts because of that emergency declaration. I believe the people of Rivers are relieved by the President’s decision. But what was the justification for imposing the emergency in the first place?” Wike questioned.
The former governor explained that the emergency rule was initially declared due to constitutional concerns raised by the Supreme Court.
“The Supreme Court had ruled that governance in Rivers was dysfunctional because only the executive branch was operational, and even that was questionable. The legislature was non-existent, and at the local government level, the Court invalidated an election that did not comply with legal standards. Previously, the Court had also ruled that caretaker committees at the local government level were unconstitutional, as Section 7 of the Constitution guarantees the existence of local governments, which are essential for deriving funds from the Federation Account,” he clarified.
Wike noted that President Tinubu’s intervention was crucial to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
“The President recognized that without decisive action, the crisis could have worsened. I appreciate his courage in taking that step; otherwise, the scenario would have been far more complicated,” Wike remarked.
He further elaborated on the political reasoning behind the emergency declaration, describing it as a strategic compromise aimed at preserving peace.
“From a political standpoint, the President, who is my superior, assessed the situation and concluded that although the governor might have committed impeachable offenses, peace was paramount. Declaring a state of emergency was the only viable path to stabilize the state. This led to consultations involving myself, the governor, the state assembly, the National Assembly, and other key stakeholders. We all agreed to move forward, and thankfully, peace has been restored,” he recounted.
Wike also cautioned against individuals he labeled as “natural crisis instigators” who exploit conflict for personal gain.
“Watching events unfold today, it’s clear there are people who thrive on chaos, believing they benefit only when there is turmoil,” he warned.
He emphasized his commitment to peace, highlighting his ongoing dialogue with Governor Fubara as a deliberate effort to avoid further escalation.
“If we wanted the emergency rule to continue, we could have taken steps to ensure that. But for the sake of the state, I maintained communication with the governor, who assured me that we cannot revert to the previous state of affairs. The President’s intervention has brought stability, and I support anything that promotes peace,” Wike affirmed.
In conclusion, the former governor underscored his candid approach to politics, dismissing claims that his reconciliation with Fubara was merely a political maneuver.
“I don’t engage with someone I haven’t forgiven. I am straightforward-I don’t say one thing and do another. If I say we are in conflict, then we are. If I say peace has been achieved, then peace is genuine,” Wike declared.
