THE governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara has encouraged his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, not to distance himself from him even if he crosses to the other side of the political divide.
The governor made the remarks during a thanksgiving reception for Wike at his private residence on Ada-George Road in Rumueprikom, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
“While we are seeing sign that it’s like you want to go over to the other side with everybody wishing that, please don’t be too far from me because I know that the sharks, the tigers are really around looking for what to hurt.
“So, being around would continue to guide and put my head straight for the purpose of this state,” Fubara said.
His appeal comes amid rumours that the former Rivers State governor may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
During the 2023 general elections, Wike abandoned his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in favor of the APC’s candidate, Bola Tinubu, who finally won.
Before the election, Wike, along with four other PDP governors, including Oyo State’s Seyi Makinde, Benue State’s Samuel Ortom, Enugu State’s Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Abia State’s Okezie Ikpeazu, refused to support Atiku, saying that it was the turn of Southern Nigeria to produce the president after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North-West.
Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku, who came second with 6,984,520 votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who came third with 6,101,533 votes.
Before his swearing in, Tinubu was invited to River State by Wike for inauguration of projects executed by the former governor.
Wike has also been seen at the Aso Villa several times with some APC members since Tinubu’s inauguration as Nigeria’s President, further fuelling the speculations of him jumping ship.
Many political bigwigs graced Wike’s reception today with President Bola Tinubu represented by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Joining the list of guests at the event were Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), high-ranking APC stalwarts and members of the 10th National Assembly including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, ex-Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; ex-Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; member representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume.
Others are Acting PDP Chairman, Umar Damagum; former Governors Peter Odili (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and James Ibori (Delta) as well as all G5 members.
