Fayose Says Tinubu Won’t Sacrifice Wike for Fubara Amid Rivers State Crisis

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu will not “sacrifice” Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in favour of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.

Fayose made the comments in an exclusive interview with Arise Television aired on Tuesday, reacting to the lingering power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which has continued to fuel political instability in the state.

According to the former governor, Wike remains more politically relevant to President Tinubu than Fubara. “But let me say this to Nigerians, the Asiwaju that I know will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara. Wike came from Rivers to give support to President Tinubu,” Fayose said.

He argued that Wike’s continued value lies in his performance as FCT Minister and his ability to deliver electoral victories for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “Wike is in Abuja performing, we’ve never had it so good in Abuja, even a blind man can’t deny that,” Fayose added.

Highlighting Wike’s contributions, Fayose pointed out that APC won local government elections in Rivers State thanks to Wike’s influence, and predicted similar victories in the FCT. “The coming local government in Abuja, APC will still win it. So, what else will the President want from Wike?” he queried.

On Governor Fubara’s reported efforts to seek President Tinubu’s intervention, Fayose suggested it reflected political arrogance. “If Governor Fubara has gone to meet the President (in France), then it shows he needs help. When you don’t praise God, when you refuse to humble yourself and look for peace, you’ll just be running helter-skelter. What he’s looking for is inside his pocket,” he said.

Fayose also weighed in on the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing claims that President Tinubu is responsible for the party’s woes. He described the PDP as a party undermined by internal divisions and self-inflicted conflicts. “The PDP caused themselves an insurrection. It’s a house that divided against itself and the nature of man is survival of the fittest,” he added.