The former Governor of Rivers State and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described as a “mistake”, his choice of Sim Fubara to succeed him as Rivers State Governor.
The Minister made this confession during a grand civic reception on Saturday in Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State, to honour Chief George Thompson Sekibo’s 20 years of public service. Even though, Wike did not specifically mention the name of Gov. Sim Fubara, it is widely believed that he was referring to his former protegee and incumbent Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara.
Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have been engaging in an open political battle since last October, which was escalated by an impeachment attempt from the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are mostly loyal to the Wike.
The crisis in Rivers State has polarised the State House of Assembly into two camps with 27 lawmakers still loyal to the FCT Minister while three lawmakers have declared allegiance to Gov. Sim Fubara.
“I want to say this clearly, in life we have made a mistake. I have made a mistake. I own it up and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time,” Wike had declared.
“I am a human, I am bound to make a mistake. So forgive me for making a wrong judgment. So nobody should kill. If they like, they can go to anybody by 2am or 4am to get injunction. The law will take its course. We must follow due process,” Wike added.
The former governor also stated that he has never demanded that anybody should worship him adding that nobody can worship a man. This is in apparent response to comments made by the Governor Fubara who said that while he appreciated the roles played by Wike in his ascension to office, that was not enough for him to worship a human being.
Nyesom Wike also encouraged his supporters and lawmakers not to be intimidated but vowed to maintain peace in the state.
“Don’t be afraid. Nobody will remove you as a lawmaker. Most of you don’t understand. This is our work. Our business is to make them fear. That is what I am doing. We will make them to be angry every day, and they will continue to make mistakes”, he said.