Our Reporter, Abuja
The former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that his successor, the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, came to visit him at his Abuja residence begging for reconciliation.
Wike, who made the assertion Monday during a media parley with select journalists in Abuja, said he was open to reconciliation since that was what President Tinubu wants.
Premium Times had reported recently how Fubara visited Wike and begged for reconciliation.
“Fubara was brought to the minister’s house on Friday, 18 April. He prostrated for Wike while holding his legs and calling him, ‘My Oga’,” one of the sources said, according to Premium Times.
The visit was said to have came a few days after Mr Fubara held a meeting in London with President Bola Tinubu over the political feud with Mr Wike, which led to President Tinubu declaring an emergency rule in the oil-rich Rivers State.
Speaking on Monday, Wike admitted that his erstwhile godson, Governor Fubara, indeed visited his Abuja residence.
“Yes, he came with two governors, and unfortunately, the two of them are APC governors. He said he wants peace, and I said I want peace too.”
However, the FCT Minister hinted that the visit is not a silver bullet that will automatically bring about peace, saying it is just the beginning of the process.
“There are steps. You people think this is about saying I want peace; then you go. What that means is that there’s an open window for you. Take the necessary steps to show you want peace.
“This is a self-inflicted injury. He doesn’t need it. When this thing started, I called him. Seyi Makinde, Ortom, Ikpeazu, and Ugwuanyi were there. We sat him down and said, This is not good for you. God has given it to you; don’t allow people to push you. You’re a governor, we know.
“Don’t forget people laboured day and night, and what I have said is don’t forget people who toiled day and night.
“I told him, Go this way, and you will not have a problem. People came and said, Don’t mind him; assert yourself as governor.
“They declared a state of emergency; he who wears the shoe knows where it pinches him. Who suffers? Assuming you don’t settle this problem and the state of emergency is called off, has the problem ended?
“Assembly will still be the same as it has been. The crisis will still be there, and they won’t pass their budget or get federal allocation,” Wike said triumphantly.
