Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said President Bola Tinubu is unlikely to sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in favour of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the lingering political crisis in the state.
Fayose made the assertion during an exclusive interview on Arise Television aired on Tuesday, while reacting to the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which has continued to fuel political tension in Rivers State.
According to Fayose, Wike remains far more politically relevant to President Tinubu than Fubara, arguing that the President has little reason to abandon the former Rivers governor.
“But let me say this to Nigerians, the Asiwaju that I know will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara. Wike came from Rivers to give support to President Tinubu,” Fayose said.
He maintained that Wike’s political value lies in his performance as FCT minister and his ability to help the All Progressives Congress (APC) secure electoral victories.
“Wike is in Abuja performing. We’ve never had it so good in Abuja; even a blind man can’t deny that,” Fayose stated.
He further claimed that the APC’s success in Rivers State local government elections was largely due to Wike’s influence.
“The local government in Rivers, APC won them courtesy of Wike. The coming local government in Abuja, APC will still win it. So, what else will the President want from Wike?” he queried.
Reacting to reports that Governor Fubara had sought President Tinubu’s intervention over the crisis, Fayose described the move as a sign of political arrogance and desperation.
“If Governor Fubara has gone to meet the President (in France), then it shows he needs help. When you don’t praise God, when you refuse to humble yourself and look for peace, you’ll just be running helter-skelter. What he’s looking for is inside his pocket,” Fayose added.
