Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said President Bola Tinubu is unlikely to sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Fayose made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday while commenting on the power tussle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which has continued to generate tension in Rivers State.
According to Fayose, Wike remains more politically valuable to President Tinubu, citing his role in supporting the President’s emergence and his performance as FCT minister. He argued that Tinubu has little reason to abandon Wike, whom he described as politically influential and effective.
Fayose further claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress has benefited from Wike’s political strength, pointing to the party’s victory in recent local government elections in Rivers State and expressing confidence that similar success would be recorded in forthcoming polls in the Federal Capital Territory.
The comments came amid moves by the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. The lawmakers have accused the governor of gross misconduct, including alleged financial infractions, demolition of the assembly complex and disobedience to a Supreme Court ruling on legislative autonomy.
The political crisis in Rivers State has persisted since late 2023, following a struggle for control of the state’s political structure, including the Peoples Democratic Party machinery and the State Assembly.
Fayose also dismissed claims that President Tinubu was responsible for the internal crisis within the PDP, describing the opposition party as weakened by internal divisions and self inflicted conflicts.
