COMMENTARY
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Declares Political Rift with Rivers Governor Fubara Far from Resolved, Stresses Transparency and Goodwill Over Money
…says “Money Can Make You Not See Well…”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the political tension between him and Rivers State Governor, Siminalyi Fubara, remains unresolved, emphasizing that disagreements are inevitable in politics.
Speaking on Monday during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike stated that “all can never be well in politics,” a remark interpreted as a reflection on the lingering strain between him and Governor Fubara.
The Minister’s comments come in the wake of Fubara’s recent declaration of support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), in which the governor claimed that some individuals were backing President Bola Tinubu in a “corner, corner” manner. Observers widely interpreted the statement as a subtle reference to Wike, who, despite serving in the APC-led federal government, remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to Fubara’s remarks, Wike insisted he was unaware of anyone secretly supporting President Tinubu and reiterated that his own support has always been public and open.
“I don’t know who is following Tinubu and doing ‘corner, corner.’ How can that be when the whole of Nigeria knows that I have openly stated my position?” he said.
The FCT minister recalled that even when PDP governors accused him of working for Tinubu, he never denied it and maintained a clear and consistent stance.
“If I were supporting Tinubu secretly, many people would not have supported him. Even council chairmen would not have followed,” Wike said.
He stressed the importance of transparency in politics, noting that public trust is lost when politicians fail to keep their word.
“I don’t want to be that kind of politician. Once I say something, people should be able to rely on it. Everybody knows that when I state what I will do, I will do it,” he said.
Wike also dismissed claims that all was well politically between him and Governor Fubara.
“No, it’s not about everything being well. In politics, all can never be well,” he stated.
Addressing suggestions that he had not attempted to mediate the political crisis in Rivers State, Wike revealed that he has actively engaged with the governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and other political stakeholders, including state elders.
“People are economical with the truth. The governor cannot say that I have not intervened between him, the Speaker, and the leadership of the House. He cannot also deny that I have engaged with elders, even in his presence,” Wike said.
The FCT minister further reflected on the role of money in politics, cautioning against overreliance on wealth to solve governance issues.
“Money can make you not see well, the kind of money governors have now, we never saw it. This is why most of them make mistakes, they think everything is about money. Money has its own limitations; there are areas money can’t reach, but goodwill can,” he stated.
Although Wike did not specifically name any governor in this observation, analysts suggest that his comments could be aimed at former allies, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, following recent political disagreements.