Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described as rumour, the report that Governor Siminalayi Fubara agreed to serve only one term for peace to reign in Rivers State.
Amid the emergency rule, Fubara reportedly held a peace meeting with Wike and the lawmakers at the behest of President Bola Tinubu.
One of the key terms of the meeting, according to reports, was that Fubara would forgo any plan to seek a second term in 2027.
The governor was also said have agreed to allow Wike nominate all the local government chairpersons across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
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Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Thursday, Wike said Fubara was involved in all the resolutions before the imposition of emergency rule in the state.
Wike said, “The claim that the resolutions of the Rivers crisis were in my favor is not true. There was no decision that was taken which the governor was not aware of.”
When asked whether he agreed that Fubara will serve for just one term, he said, “Who agreed to that? I am hearing this for the first time. I don’t know what you are talking about. We agreed that there should a democratic government at least at the local government level. And this has been done. We are satisfied. Then we move to the next level.”
However, Wike said that he had no intention of recommending commissioners to Fubara.
He said, “I cannot go and impose anything on the governor. Why would I impose anything on the governor? Assuming I go to the governor and say, ‘I want this,’ will the state collapse? I will not (suggest commissioners for the governor) . I have no candidate, and I will not.”
He said that he spoke to Fubara on the phone on Wednesday, saying that they agreed to allow the state to move smoothly.
He added, “As I speak to you, as of yesterday, I spoke to the Governor (Fubara). I told him I was leaving that night to come back, and he told me he was leaving this morning.
“So, I can tell you that, by the grace of God, peace has returned. And look at what the Assembly did today to set the tone — you can see peace; you can see we are prepared, for the interest of the state. Let’s move forward.”
