Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has stated that he never expected the political rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warning the governor to tread carefully amid the deepening crisis in the state.
Fayose remarked on Friday during an interview with Channels Television’s Politics. Today, he discussed the collapse in the relationship between Wike and his political protégé, which has thrown the state into extended instability.
“Let me quickly say this. I never knew this thing would ever happen between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike,” Fayose said.
He revealed that he was present at Fubara’s inauguration and had personally advised the governor against falling out with his predecessor.
“I was sitting on the high table the day Governor Fubara was sworn in, and we were on the high table in Rivers. And I told Wike that I want to say one or two things to Fubara not to betray you,” he added.
Fayose’s remarks came amid increasing political tension in Rivers State, despite multiple reconciliation efforts, including presidential intervention.
There are reports that President Bola Tinubu has again intervened in the dispute.
According to a source close to the presidency, the president summoned Wike for talks on the Rivers crisis, which are expected to take place outside of Nigeria.
Additionally, Fubara traveled to France on Thursday on a private jet to meet Tinubu in an effort to resolve the standoff.
These developments coincide with a new impeachment attempt against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The seven claims include the demolition of the Assembly structure, extra-budgetary spending, withholding monies intended for the Assembly Service Commission, and an alleged unwillingness to comply with a Supreme Court decision on the legislature’s financial autonomy.
The House began impeachment procedures days after Wike accused the governor of breaking a peace deal negotiated by Tinubu.
The power struggle between Wike and Fubara escalated months after the governor took office, pushing Rivers State into a governance crisis.
Tinubu intervened in December 2023 and struck a tenuous truce in which Fubara agreed to make many political appointments for Wike’s friends.
That arrangement eventually fell apart, reigniting hostilities and pushing Tinubu to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, claiming increased insecurity and administrative dysfunction.
The declaration halted Fubara’s executive powers for six months, during which time a single administrator, former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), was chosen to supervise the state.
Fayose also discussed his long-standing allegiance to the PDP, stating that it did not preclude him from speaking candidly about the party’s issues, emphasizing that honesty should come before sentiment.
“Everybody stands where they will be able to say the truth to Nigerians. I am not contesting elections, and I have not asked anybody for favors,” he stated.
Fayose also stressed that he openly supported President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, insisting that he did not act secretly or deceptively.
“Openly, I supported Asiwaju Tinubu in 2023, and I didn’t hide it. Till now, I am still there. I didn’t jump. I have said it to you, I am not a member of the APC, and I will never be,” he said.
