Fayose backs Wike, says Fubara was nobody before becoming governor

Former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose has thrown his weight behind the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the ongoing political face-off with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that the governor owed his rise to Wike’s influence.

Fayose, speaking in an interview on Arise Television aired on Tuesday, said Fubara should not be challenging Wike over the control and leadership structure of Rivers State, arguing that the governor was largely unknown before his emergence.

According to the former governor, political authority comes with established hierarchies and respect for those who played decisive roles in one’s ascension to power.

“There’s what we call a nomenclature. When I was governor, when I’m coming, the traditional rulers, leaders of thought, people that matter in the state, they get up and say, ‘The governor is coming,’” Fayose said.

He stressed the distinction between occupying an office and being the political “001,” questioning the basis on which Fubara lays claim to ultimate political authority in the state.

“There’s a difference between the office and 001. Who gave you the platform to be calling yourself 001?” he asked, adding that it was a “sad narrative” for Fubara to be struggling politically with Wike.

Fayose urged the Rivers governor to manage the situation rather than engage in open confrontation, warning that public power tussles with one’s benefactor often end badly.

Drawing on a Yoruba proverb, Fayose said those who give life and prevent death are more fundamental than those who later provide wealth, implying that without Wike’s backing, Fubara would not have become governor.

“Nobody will recommend… who is Governor Fubara? You didn’t know Fubara three years ago. You never heard of a Fubara three years ago,” he said.

While insisting that he respects Fubara as the sitting governor of Rivers State, Fayose maintained that it was not the governor’s place to contest Wike’s influence.

“Even if Wike said he’s the leader, it is not to the mouth of Governor Fubara to be contesting that. We all know the truth,” he added.

He also drew a distinction between genuine remorse and superficial apologies, warning that political allies urging Fubara to “fight back” would abandon him if circumstances changed.

“Those people leading on Governor Fubara, if he goes down today, they will run away,” Fayose said.

Reflecting on Fubara’s political trajectory, Fayose noted that the emergency rule imposed in Rivers State ultimately saved him from impeachment, which would have ended his career.

“The emergency rule was all-winning for Governor Fubara. By now, he would have been history,” he said, adding that Fubara should learn from history and understand the limits of power.

Fayose concluded by advising Fubara to reconcile with Wike, whom he described as “the man who was thoughtful enough to say among all you brides, I will marry you, come to the office of the governor.”