Wike Opens Door to Forgiveness, Says Fubara Must Seek Peace with Sincerity

In a revealing media chat that offered both criticism and hope, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, declared his willingness to forgive Governor Siminalayi Fubara if he makes a sincere move toward reconciliation—calling for humility and dialogue to end the political standoff tearing through Rivers State.
“Even the prodigal son was welcomed back—but only after he came with a sincere heart,” Wike said, referencing the ongoing political feud between him and his successor. “If he says, ‘Forgive me,’ I will. That’s how we move forward.”
Wike’s remarks come amid deepening tensions in Rivers State, where political institutions have nearly ground to a halt, prompting a presidential intervention and state of emergency measures.

The former governor, visibly pained by what he described as betrayal and mismanagement, accused key actors in the crisis of fueling chaos while ignoring avenues for peace.
“Nobody has come to me to say, ‘Let’s fix this.’ Instead, they go around playing games, pointing fingers. But leadership is about action, not gossip.”

While defending the controversial emergency measures as a constitutional necessity to avert total collapse of governance, Wike also warned that the six-month intervention window must be used wisely or risk returning to instability.

Turning his focus to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wike raised concerns about the body’s integrity following a ₦200 million “gift” from the Presidency—questioning whether such a gesture, unappropriated by law, compromised its stance on judicial rulings affecting Rivers.
“Was that money budgeted? Declared? No. Yet people act like it doesn’t matter. It does. It sets a dangerous precedent.”
Still, the FCT Minister insisted that his goal is not vengeance but restoration, noting he has already initiated dialogue with other governors in search of a lasting solution.
“I’ve met with two governors to ask, ‘What does he want? Let’s solve this.’ I’m open to peace—but it must be sincere.”

Wike’s message, though sharp, offered a rare olive branch in a crisis many fear could escalate without bold leadership and honest reconciliation. His words now place the next move squarely on Governor Fubara’s table.