Amid a resurfaced political controversy in Rivers State, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has addressed claims surrounding his rise to power as Governor. The debate was reignited by old videos circulating on social media, showing former First Lady Patience Jonathan introducing Wike to political leaders as the preferred successor to then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike, speaking during a civic reception held in Port Harcourt on Friday, dismissed the narrative that he was “made” governor by key political figures. He acknowledged their support but emphasized that his ultimate emergence was a product of his own political battles.
“To be governor of Rivers State in 2014, I fought for the party structure,” Wike said. “I took it from Magnus Abe, yes, I did. So, nobody can say, ‘I made Wike Governor.’ It would be unfair to me and to Almighty God to claim otherwise.”
He contrasted his political journey with that of the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, asserting that he played a direct role in Fubara’s emergence.
The tensions come amidst a political rift between Wike and former governor Peter Odili, who has openly supported Fubara. Wike criticized Odili for taking sides, arguing that he should instead assume a neutral role as a father figure in resolving the state’s political crises.
While Wike acknowledged that no one can achieve success in isolation, he maintained that his rise to power was self-driven. Historical accounts suggest that his candidacy gained traction following a fallout between Amaechi and the Jonathan administration, prompting the former president, his wife, and Peter Odili to support Wike.
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The ongoing divide has placed Wike at loggerheads with Fubara, deepening the crisis within Rivers State’s political landscape.
