Rivers Crisis: APC Chairman Describes Wike as Fubara’s Mentor and Political Backer

APC Rivers Caretaker Chairman: Wike Mentored Governor Fubara, Rift Due to Political Structure

Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC in Rivers State, has characterized Governor Sim Fubara as a political protégé of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Okocha emphasized that Fubara’s political rise was heavily influenced by Wike’s support, suggesting that without Wike’s backing, Fubara might not have ascended to the governorship.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Okocha delved into the underlying reasons for the ongoing rift between Wike and Fubara.

He elaborated, “Governor Fubara is a political investment of Wike’s. From being a civil servant to becoming a party candidate and securing victory across all 23 local governments—an unprecedented feat in our history—all of this is attributable to Wike’s strategic maneuvering.”

Okocha further relayed Wike’s stance on the matter, quoting him as saying, “I’m not seeking anything from you. I’m simply highlighting that you are dismantling the very structure that brought you into power.”

Highlighting the essence of political preservation, Okocha asserted, “No politician would willingly dismantle their support base. Doing so would leave them without a political home to return to. That’s the crux of the issue.”

Fubara and Wike have been engaged in a power struggle for control over Rivers’ political landscape. Recently, the Court of Appeal in Abuja invalidated a Rivers High Court order that restrained Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from acting as lawmakers in the State Assembly. The appellate court ruled that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the federal high court.