Rivers Gov, Wike, draws battle line with incoming Gov Fubara

As Wike reportedly threatens to withhold funds for Fubara's inauguration

May 19, 2023 - 11:50 Updated: May 19, 2023 - 11:51
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Rivers Gov, Wike, draws battle line with incoming Gov Fubara
Wike (left) and Fubara

Governor Nyesom Wike is at daggers-drawn with his political son, the state’s Governor-elect, Sim Fubara, barely 10 days to Fubara’s inauguration on May 29, when Wike will be handing over to his successor.

According to sources quoted by Periscope International, the rift between Wike and his annointed successor follows the disagreement between them over the invitation of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers state to Fubara’s inauguration.

It was gathered that Wike is fuming that Fubara invited Atiku and other PDP leaders, who he considered as his political enemies, to the inauguration ceremony without his consent.

A source said that Fubara told his close aides that he would not want to inherit the enemies of the outgoing Governor and would not want to start fighting political wars early in his administration.

Fubara is said to have explained that he preferred reconciliation with the party leaders, both at the state and national level, a position that has put him on a collision course with Wike.

The development is said to have created an early crack between the duo and Wike has threatened to withhold the release of funds for the inauguration.

Political pundits say that the political battle between Wike and his godson Fubara will be interesting as Wike is not known for taking political wars against his political enemies lightly.

It would be recalled that Gov Wike was formerly the Chief of Staff to his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, who even recommended him for appointment as Minister of State, Education under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Wike later decided to bite the finger that fed him by engaging in a vicious war with Amaechi, which has made the duo to seem to have fallen apart irredeemably.

If Fubara decides to give Wike the Amaechi treatment, then obviously a theatre of the absurd looms in Rivers State.