The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the first time has publicly revealed how he helped installed Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State in 2023.
According to Wike, Fubara didn’t even purchase a nomination form or declare his intention to run for office; instead, he, (Wike) handed him the form and assured him of victory.
Wike made the disclosure at a New Year’s banquet attended by several high-profile guests, including the Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, and Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, and his Political Associates.
He emphasized the difference between supporting a candidate and making someone a governor, highlighting that while support is necessary for success in politics, it’s rare for someone to be plucked from obscurity and made governor.
He said: “Nobody bought form for me. But people should tell me, you can not get anything without people supporting you, but it is different from someone making you. Some people didn’t buy form. Somebody went somewhere and collected form. He didn’t put money oh, he didn’t even contemplate that he wanted to be this, somebody wakes you up in the morning and said come, take, go, you would be and you became.
“So most people can not differentiate, nobody can be anything without people support, if tomorrow you want to Governor, people must support you, but you do not want to be Governor, you never dreamt of it in your life, and someone said come, take form, fill it, bring it, go, you would be.
“If it is the will of God, let thy will be done. I am not fighting with anybody. I want all of you here to understand in life, do not be an ingrate.”
Wike’s remarks laced with regret, as he urged his supporters to be patient. He also took a swipe at several politicians, including Celestine Omehia, Uche Secondus, and Peter Odili, labeling them as fair-weather politicians who would jump ship when convenient.
Wike’s comments came amid calls by some Rivers elders, compelling him to apologise to the former governor of the state, Odili over comments made a few days ago.
But Wike, at the event said he owed nobody any apologies, denying any wrong doing over his response to claims made by Odili.
