Former Rivers State governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he told his suspended successor, Siminalayi Fubara, that the governor had “yam” in his hand and “the knife” and he should decide what he wants.
Wike also referred to Fubara as “his boy” during an interview with BBC Pidgin published on Saturday.
The FCT minister claimed he was not fighting with Fubara, alleging that certain individuals are influencing the governor’s actions.
He said, “That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son, why will I fight with him?”
According to the publication, Wike noted that he had told Fubara during a visit that he was ready for peace — if Fubara was ready as well.
“I told him that you have yam in your hand and the knife, you are the one that knows how you want peace. If you want sincere peace, you take, if you want dubious peace, you also take.”
Wike also denied playing dirty politics, claiming that those who accuse him of such simply hate him.
The comments come amid the political tension in Rivers State, where Wike is considered a central figure in the crisis.
Earlier, Wike rejected a plea from Niger Delta ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, to “forgive suspended Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.”
Speaking on the ongoing crisis, Tompolo had urged Wike to temper his anger for the greater good.
“And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all. We will have a dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again, Fubara will return to his seat,” Tompolo had said.
However, Wike, through his aide, Lere Olayinka, had dismissed the call.
“There is no offence. It is when somebody has offended you personally that you talk about forgiveness or whatever. As Christians, let’s now assume that Fubara has offended the minister — do you forgive someone who has not come to you to seek forgiveness?” he quipped.
In a controversial move, President Bola Tinubu suspended Fubara and swore in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator.
