Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has explained why he believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not trade the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Fayose made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, reacting to the power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which continues to fuel tension in the state.
He added that Wike remains more politically valuable to President Tinubu than Fubara, and sees no reason for the President to withdraw his support from the former governor.
“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 linked Wike’s strength to his performance as FCT minister and his influence in helping the All Progressives Congress record electoral gains.
“Wike is in Abuja performing; we’ve never had it so good in Abuja, even a blind man can’t deny that,” he said.
“The local government elections in Rivers, APC won them courtesy of Wike. The coming local government elections in Abuja, APC will still win them. So, what else will the President want from Wike?” he added
His remarks come as the Rivers State House of Assembly begins impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara over allegations of gross misconduct, including demolishing the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and defying a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
While the Assembly denied claims that Wike is behind the impeachment process, reports suggest President Tinubu has intervened in the dispute.
Reacting to claims that Fubara sought Tinubu’s intervention, Fayose said the move showed political misjudgment on the governor’s part.
“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.
Speaking on the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu is responsible for the party’s challenges.
“The challenges in the PDP are not the fault of Asiwaju,” he said. “Failure in my home, God forbid, is not the fault of my neighbour.”
He further added that the PDP brought the crisis upon itself, saying, “The PDP caused themselves an insurrection. It’s a house divided against itself, and the nature of man is survival of the fittest.”
