Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the FCT, has extended an olive branch in his ongoing power struggle with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. While signalling openness to peace, Wike simultaneously issued a warning, saying he would not allow himself to be “dragged down” in the process.
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Speaking at his Port Harcourt residence during a visit from Ogbaland traditional rulers celebrating his 56th birthday on Sunday, Wike laid down his conditions for reconciliation. “No politician will fold his hands and allow himself to be dragged down,” he declared. “I and my team would accept peace, but we won’t allow ourselves to be marginalised.”
He acknowledges the need for peace and stability in Rivers, a state already reeling from the defection of 27 lawmakers to the APC, the burning down of the state House of Assembly, and Fubara’s subsequent demolition of the complex. However, he refuses to surrender his political clout or surrender to what he perceives as attempts to diminish his influence.
