By Emmanuel Kwada
In a fiery and pointed rebuke, Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current political heavyweight, unleashed a scathing critique of his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of surrounding himself with treacherous advisers bent on sabotaging his administration.
Speaking at a public event in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike didn’t hold back, warning Fubara that his inner circle’s “bad advice” has already left him trailing in a political game that’s far from over.
“You surrounded yourself with people who wanted to be governor, whom I said ‘no, these people don’t mean well for Rivers State,’” Wike declared, his voice brimming with conviction. “They are the ones surrounding you, giving you advice. Do you think you will succeed? They will give bad advice, and look at what bad advice is doing to you. You are already down 2-0, and there’s more to come.”
They will give bad advice, and look at what bad advice is doing to you. You are already down 2-0, and there’s more to come
The remarks come amid an escalating political feud between Wike, now a prominent figure in national politics, and Fubara, his one-time protégé who assumed office in May 2023. Analysts say the rift, which has simmered for months, has now boiled over into a public showdown, with Wike framing Fubara’s administration as a sinking ship steered by disloyal and self-serving allies.
Wike’s “2-0” comment appears to reference recent political setbacks for Fubara, including legal battles over local government control and defections of key allies to Wike’s camp.
Political observers in Rivers State suggest that Wike, who played a pivotal role in Fubara’s rise to power, is signaling that he still holds significant sway over the state’s political landscape—and isn’t afraid to flex it.
Residents of Rivers State are watching closely as the clash between the two titans unfolds
Fubara’s office has yet to respond to Wike’s latest salvo, but the governor has previously dismissed such criticisms as distractions from his agenda to develop Rivers State. However, Wike’s pointed warning—“there’s more to come”—hints at further confrontations looming on the horizon, raising questions about Fubara’s ability to consolidate power with a fractured support base.
Residents of Rivers State are watching closely as the clash between the two titans unfolds.
