Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, has accused his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of sponsoring the Action Peoples Party (APP) in the recently concluded local government elections in the state. The election saw APP winning 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions.
Governor Fubara, who belongs to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had sworn in the newly elected local government chairpersons on Monday, with Bala Mohammed, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi State, in attendance at the ceremony.
In the lead-up to the election, Fubara made a surprising statement, claiming to be the “greatest loser” because the PDP, his own party, was not on the ballot for the elections. This unusual situation raised questions about his political strategy and the influence of the APP, which became the dominant force in the election.
During an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, Wike accused Fubara of deliberately supporting the APP to ensure their victory in the polls. Wike defended his own political decisions, stating that despite being accused of anti-party activities, his actions were driven by the principles of “equity, fairness, and justice.”
“Today, people say ‘Discipline Wike, he did anti-party.’ I did not do anti-party; I said we must stand for equity, fairness, and justice,” Wike explained. “Today, what happened? The governor [Fubara] is the one who sponsored the APP. The chairman of the [PDP] governors’ forum was the one who attended the swearing-in.”
The rift between Wike and Fubara reflects the deepening political tension within the PDP in Rivers State, with Wike appearing to challenge the legitimacy of Fubara’s moves, particularly with regard to the sponsorship of a rival party in the local elections. The controversy highlights the ongoing power struggle between the two political figures, both of whom have wielded significant influence in Rivers State politics.
The accusation that Fubara sponsored a rival party raises concerns about the future of PDP’s unity in the state, as internal divisions could further weaken the party’s political standing in upcoming elections. Both men had been close allies during Wike’s tenure as governor, but their relationship appears to have deteriorated as Fubara charts his own political path.
