Wike Accuses Odili of Backing Fubara to Defy Tinubu

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, is encouraging Governor Siminalayi Fubara to defy President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Wike made the accusation during a reception held on Friday for Rivers State stakeholders. The event marked the latest development in the political feud between Wike and Fubara, former allies now embroiled in a battle for the political control of Rivers State.

The discord between the two camps follows the breakdown of a peace agreement brokered in 2023. The eight-point accord, facilitated by President Tinubu and other stakeholders, including Odili, was signed during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

However, the agreement fell apart, with Fubara later claiming he had been coerced into signing it. Wike, on his part, accused Odili of undermining the deal.

Odili Commends Fubara

Speaking in Port Harcourt on December 28, Odili praised Fubara for resisting what he described as Wike’s attempt to dominate Rivers State.

“With assuring fortitude, Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance, and made civil servants and Rivers people happier, as it used to be until I left office in 2007,” Odili remarked.

Wike Responds

In his response, Wike defended his legacy and dismissed Odili’s accusations.

“I am trying to make Rivers State the medical hub of South-South Nigeria. How did I now come to convert Rivers State into a personal estate?” Wike questioned.

He also declared himself the best governor in the state’s history.

“I am the best governor that Rivers State has ever produced. How did I convert Rivers State into my personal estate? And people will not answer a simple question?”

Wike criticized Odili’s approach to resolving disputes, accusing him of encouraging Governor Fubara to ignore President Tinubu’s directives.

Wike also addressed his actions during the 2023 general elections, acknowledging that he worked against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the party’s former chairman, Uche Secondus.

“When I said Secondus, you will not be chairman again, yes, I did it. In 2023, they said Atiku was coming, I said where? There was nothing I was not offered. I told PDP I would not support Atiku because I am not a second-class citizen. I must support the South to produce a President,” he said.

The FCT minister reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu, urging Nigerians to pray for the President as he takes “tough decisions” for the country’s benefit.

Abe Weighs In

Former Senator Magnus Abe also addressed the gathering, accusing Fubara’s allies of undermining Wike. He acknowledged that many Rivers politicians, including himself, had engaged in “anti-party” activities during the elections.

“In the last election, everybody in Rivers State did anti-party. Your Excellency, with all due respect, I did anti-party. I didn’t allow the SDP candidate to come here and campaign,” Abe said.

He added, “Oga (Wike), you too did anti-party. You were very clear that you were with Tinubu and did not support the PDP presidential candidate. The present governor also did anti-party; he was with you and didn’t support the PDP presidential candidate.”