Wike Denies Rift with Fubara, Calls Him “My Son”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports of a personal feud with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, describing him instead as his “boy” and “son.”

In an interview with BBC Pidgin published on Saturday, Wike refuted claims that he is at war with Fubara, insisting that his political disagreements lie not with the governor himself, but with unnamed individuals allegedly manipulating him for selfish interests.

“That one is not a battle,” Wike said. “He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son. Why will I fight with him?”

The former Rivers State governor emphasized that his focus is on pushing back against those trying to exploit political structures they did not build.

“I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for,” he added. “When you don’t defeat them, they will think they are in charge.”

Wike noted that those individuals, now “ashamed” as they continue to lose ground, are the ones influencing Fubara’s actions behind the scenes.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike revealed that Governor Fubara has initiated peace efforts, complying with President Bola Tinubu’s repeated calls for reconciliation.

“The President has called for peace severally and I cannot sit down when the President has called for peace and I say, ‘I don’t want peace,’” he said.

Wike confirmed that Fubara recently visited him alongside two governors and an elder statesman, signaling a willingness to de-escalate tensions. While noting that the visiting governors were from the APC, he stated firmly, “I will not pursue him. He said he wants peace. That’s fine. I also want peace.”