Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has admitted he sought the removal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, but credited President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency with saving the embattled governor from being ousted.
Wike made the revelation during a media chat in Abuja on Friday, where he said the president’s intervention, though controversial, ultimately averted a complete political breakdown in Rivers State.
“As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers State,” Wike said. “I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.”
On March 18, 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature. He also appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as administrator of the state.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers and a key player in the ongoing political turmoil, asserted that Fubara’s position had become indefensible before the president stepped in.
“The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him,” Wike stated. “Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
The FCT minister added that while he is open to peace talks, Fubara’s advisers are allegedly discouraging the suspended governor from pursuing reconciliation.
“I am ready for peace, but his people are the ones saying no,” Wike claimed.
The declaration of a state of emergency continues to stir debate nationwide, with critics calling it a heavy-handed measure and supporters viewing it as a necessary step to stabilize the state.
