Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has identified Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s attempt to create an independent political structure shortly after assuming office as the major cause of the political crisis in Rivers State.
Speaking during a media chat on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Wike said Fubara’s decision to distance himself from the political structure that supported his emergence as governor weakened their relationship and created tensions within the state.
The former Rivers governor said he expected Fubara to focus on governance and continue the developmental foundation established by his administration rather than pursue an early political realignment.
Wike said his vision before leaving office was for Rivers State to sustain its infrastructure growth and eventually compete with Lagos State in development.
“In politics, you have to be careful. Not everyone around you wants you to succeed.
”We laid the foundation and expected him to continue from where we stopped so Rivers could compete with Lagos,” he said.
The FCT minister highlighted projects completed under his administration, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road and 12 flyovers, which he said improved transportation and transformed the appearance of the state capital.
Wike alleged that Fubara was influenced by advisers who encouraged him to break away from the political platform that produced him, despite not being part of the process that brought him into office.
“You cannot succeed alone. The mistake he made was believing he could do it by himself and setting up his own structure against the one that produced him,” Wike said.
He advised political leaders to carefully evaluate advice from associates, family members and political allies, warning that poor counsel could damage their administrations.
The former governor also rejected claims that his disagreement with Fubara was linked to financial demands, describing such accusations as a common explanation when political allies have disagreements.
He argued that his position as FCT minister made such allegations unreasonable, noting that his office manages a budget comparable to that of a state governor.
“The moment politicians disagree, the first allegation is that someone was asking for money.
”Why would I ask a governor for money when I am the Minister of the FCT with a budget comparable to that of a governor?” he said.
Wike said his focus while serving as Rivers governor was on delivering projects and improving the state, pointing to the commissioning of several projects shortly before leaving office as evidence of his administration’s achievements.
He added that his expectation was for Fubara to consolidate on those achievements, maintain stability and continue the development of Rivers State.
