Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained what he believes were the major mistakes made by his successor, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying the governor attempted to stand alone politically and build a separate political structure too soon after taking office.
Wike spoke on Saturday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, where he reflected on the political crisis that later divided both leaders.
According to the former Rivers governor, Fubara began distancing himself from the political structure that supported his emergence only a few months after assuming office. Wike said he found it surprising that the governor moved in that direction before spending 100 days in office, adding that the decision created problems within the political family that worked for his victory.
He explained that his expectation after leaving office was for Fubara to continue the projects and development plans already started in Rivers State. Wike said he had hoped the administration would build on the foundation already laid so the state could gradually close the development gap with Lagos.
The minister pointed to some of the projects executed during his tenure, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road project and the construction of 12 flyovers across the state. He said those projects were designed to improve infrastructure and transform the state’s capital and surrounding communities.
Wike also said politics requires patience, careful planning and loyalty to those who contributed to a leader’s success. He maintained that new leaders should avoid taking decisions based on advice from people who never supported their emergence, warning that such individuals may not genuinely wish them well.
He blamed some of Fubara’s political associates for encouraging him to separate himself from the structure that brought him to power. According to Wike, those advisers influenced the governor into believing he could succeed without the backing of the political team that supported his election.
Responding to allegations that he demanded money from Fubara, Wike dismissed the claim and described it as a common accusation that often surfaces whenever political allies fall out. He said he had no reason to seek financial support from the governor, noting that his current position as FCT minister comes with the responsibility of managing one of the country’s biggest public budgets.
Wike said his only interest was to see Rivers State remain politically stable while continuing the development programmes initiated during his administration. He also noted that the Federal Capital Territory has recorded growth in internally generated revenue since he assumed office, saying monthly collections have risen from about ₦8 billion to around ₦40 billion.
The minister concluded that the political decisions made early in Fubara’s administration affected the progress he had hoped Rivers State would achieve. He maintained that continuity would have placed the state in a stronger position to compete with Lagos in infrastructure and development.