ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday intensified the political war in Rivers State, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of violating an alleged agreement that required him to abandon any 2027 governorship ambition in exchange for the suspension of impeachment threats against him.
Wike, who spoke during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, claimed that President Bola Tinubu personally brokered the peace arrangement between Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to the former Rivers governor, the understanding was that lawmakers would halt impeachment moves against Fubara while the governor, in return, would stay away from second-term politics.
He, however, criticised Fubara for allegedly purchasing governorship nomination forms despite the agreement.
“In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form because the agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not talk about a second tenure,” Wike said.
“By collecting the form first, he didn’t show signs of gentlemanship. He didn’t show that sign, and that was not expected. We thought that Mr President had been intervening severally and pleading with the legislature not to continue with impeachment,” he added.
Wike also threw his support behind House of Representatives member Kingsley Chinda, describing him as the most suitable candidate for the governorship position.
“A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material. He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the executive and now in the legislature,” the minister stated.
He praised Chinda’s performance as former Minority Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, adding that the lawmaker’s political credentials made him attractive to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“I’m sure that he must have been approached by the ruling APC to join them and then get the ticket,” Wike said.
The FCT minister spoke shortly after inspecting several near-completed infrastructure projects in Abuja, including the Renewed Hope City project in Kassara, the Old Keffi Road in Dei Dei, the Airport Road to Kuje corridor being handled by Arab Contractors, the Kuje-Gwagwalada road project by Gilmour, and the City Gate project executed by Julius Berger.
Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, saying most of the projects were ready for inauguration.
He particularly praised the City Gate project, describing it as an initiative inspired by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“When you have a good woman who means well for the administration of the husband, I’m talking about the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, this is her brainchild,” he said.
The minister added that Julius Berger had assured the government that the project would be delivered before the end of May or early June.