Fubara: ‘Fayose Has No Right To Dictate To Rivers People’

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Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, stirred controversy on Monday after criticising Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for identifying himself as “001” in the APC membership register in his ward. Fayose questioned the basis of such a claim, especially given the ongoing political tension in the state.

During an appearance on Arise Television, Fayose compared Rivers politics to Lagos, arguing that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu does not claim to be the political head of Lagos State because that position, according to him, is held by President Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos governor and dominant political figure.

Fayose maintained that political leadership in states with strong political structures is not determined by office alone but by entrenched influence and political history.

Discussing the power tussle in Rivers, Fayose insisted that President Tinubu would not abandon the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for Governor Fubara. He asserted that national political dynamics will ultimately shape the direction of the crisis, not declarations made at the ward or state party level.

Rivers APC Responds

In response, Rivers State APC Chairman, Emeka Beke, dismissed Fayose’s comments as baseless and lacking understanding of local realities.

“Fayose is not from Rivers, so he is in no position to speak on leadership matters here. Fubara is the sitting governor of Rivers State, and he is duly recognised as the 001 of the APC,” Beke stated.

He continued, “Fayose does not belong to the APC and cannot possibly grasp the internal political discussions within the state.”

Similarly, Chizy Enyi, Coordinator of the Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, accused Fayose of defending Wike’s interests rather than offering objective commentary.

Enyi advised the former Ekiti governor to stay out of Rivers politics and focus on nurturing his alliance with Wike without meddling in the affairs of the state.

He said, “With every sense of responsibility, Ayo Fayose is wrong. Fubara is the governor of Rivers State, and by that alone, he is the leader—politically and administratively. Fayose has no authority to dictate what we should or should not do in Rivers.”

Enyi added that leadership naturally shifts with office, noting that when Fayose governed Ekiti, he was the leader, but once out of office, another person assumed the role.

He emphasised that godfatherism has no place in Rivers politics:
“Wike cannot impose godfatherism here. No single individual makes someone governor or president. Leadership emerges through collective effort and a series of political processes involving many stakeholders.”

Enyi advised Fayose to focus on development efforts in both Rivers and Ekiti States instead of fixating on who leads politically.

“My advice is simple—let him maintain his friendship with Wike but allow peace to reign in Rivers State. We all want progress, not unnecessary political interference,” he concluded.