Former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has said he has no regrets about handpicking Siminalayi Fubara as his successor.
Speaking at a recent New Year luncheon in his Obio/Akpor home, Wike shed light on the decision, stating it was driven by a desire for state unity. He revealed his collaboration with other leaders in selecting and championing Fubara’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
“Those who criticise don’t know the full story,” he stated. “I paid for the nomination forms of everyone who contested the PDP ticket for governor, House of Assembly, and National Assembly seats.”
He challenged anyone who contested on the PDP platform to disprove his claim, adding that collaborative spirit guided his actions. “We are one family,” he said, “why cause unnecessary tension by spending money on campaigns? We agreed on who would run.”
Wike recounted a pivotal moment when the Chairman of the elders’ council nearly fainted. The reason, he explained, was the elder’s strong desire for a governor from the riverine area.
“When I saw him, I couldn’t let this old man die,” Wike said. “We needed to show that power isn’t a monopoly. We’re one Rivers State, and everyone deserves a chance. If I wanted, nobody could stop me. No one even came close to my level of influence.”
Note that Fubara is from ljaw in Rivers State’s riverine area.
Despite the ongoing political tension in the state, Wike says he remains steadfast in his support for Fubara.
“I don’t regret my decision, and I never will,” he said. “I want unity in this state, and my actions were driven by that goal. If I sought an Ikwerre governor, nobody could have stopped me.”
