Rivers Crisis: Fayose Says Tinubu Won’t Sacrifice Wike For Fubara

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Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has weighed in on the ongoing political tussle in Rivers State, insisting that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, remains a more indispensable political figure to President Bola Tinubu than Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Fayose framed Wike’s importance around his performance in the FCT and his proven ability to mobilize grassroots support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Fayose, Wike’s strategic value extends beyond Rivers politics: his contributions are crucial to sustaining APC victories nationally.

“But let me say this to Nigerians: the Asiwaju I know will not get rid of Wike for a Fubara. Wike came from Rivers to support President Tinubu,” Fayose stated, emphasizing that Wike’s loyalty and efficiency in Abuja cannot be easily replaced.

He further highlighted that Wike’s achievements as FCT minister are visible and impactful. “Wike is performing excellently in Abuja—never before have we had it so good here. Even a blind man can see it. In Rivers, APC won local governments thanks to Wike. In the upcoming local government elections in Abuja, APC will still succeed because of him. So, what more could the President want from Wike?” Fayose added.

Commentary on Fubara’s Political Moves

Addressing Governor Fubara’s reportedly unannounced trip to meet President Tinubu in France, Fayose suggested it reflected miscalculated political maneuvering. “If Governor Fubara went to meet the President, it shows he needs help. When you refuse to humble yourself and seek peace, you end up running helter-skelter. What he’s searching for is inside his own pocket,” Fayose remarked, implying that political positioning cannot substitute for performance and loyalty.

On the PDP’s Internal Challenges

Fayose also weighed in on the state of the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that its internal struggles are self-inflicted. “The problems in the PDP are not Asiwaju’s fault. Failure in my home is not my neighbour’s responsibility. The PDP created its own insurrection. It is a house divided against itself, and in politics, it’s survival of the fittest,” he said.

Analysis

Fayose’s comments underscore the growing perception that ministerial performance and political loyalty can outweigh state-level influence in Nigeria’s federal politics. Wike’s ability to deliver tangible results in the FCT positions him as a strategic asset for the APC, while Fubara’s influence appears contingent on personal political maneuvering. Analysts suggest that this dynamic highlights a broader lesson in Nigerian politics: effective governance and loyalty to the party often trump local prominence in determining political survival and presidential favor.