Wike: Fubara shouldn’t have obtained reelection form

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, should not have obtained nomination forms to seek re-election, insisting that such a move was contrary to agreements reached during efforts to resolve the political crisis in the state.

Wike made the remarks on Monday while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja.

According to the minister, understandings reached during reconciliation talks included the withdrawal of impeachment threats against Fubara, while the governor would not pursue a second term in office.

Wike said he was therefore not surprised by Fubara’s recent decision to withdraw from the governorship primary, describing the move as being in line with the agreement reached by political stakeholders.

“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.

The minister maintained that obtaining the nomination form had complicated efforts aimed at restoring stability in Rivers State.

He suggested that some of the governor’s earlier actions did not reflect the spirit of the reconciliation process despite several interventions by stakeholders.

“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” he stated.

Fubara had recently announced his withdrawal from the governorship primary, saying the decision was taken after consultations and in the interest of peace, unity and stability in Rivers State.

In a statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” the governor said he arrived at the decision after careful reflection and discussions with family members, political allies and associates.