The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.
Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara cannot claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.
He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.
According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.
Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.
Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.
Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.
He said the President intervened during the impeachment process and called for peace, adding that the governor indicated readiness to embrace reconciliation, which led to the State Assembly withdrawing the impeachment proceedings.
The minister, however, alleged that after the resolution, the governor failed to honour certain aspects of the agreement reached before the President.
Wike also dismissed claims that the public was mounting pressure on Fubara to contest again, describing such assertions as unfounded.
He argued that politicians often claim to be drafted by the people, questioning the credibility of such narratives and suggesting that individuals still have the choice to decline if truly uninterested.
He added that both parties had appeared before the President for arbitration and that other stakeholders had respected the process and fulfilled their own obligations.
