Let Bygones Be Bygones: Wike Declares Political Rift With Fubara.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the end of his prolonged political dispute with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging residents and political supporters to embrace reconciliation and work together for the progress of the state.

Speaking during a media chat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike said both leaders had resolved their differences and agreed to place the interests of Rivers State above personal and political disagreements.

The former Rivers governor noted that the prolonged political crisis had done more harm than good, insisting that the state suffered the most from the conflict.

"As far as Rivers State is concerned, what we want now is peace and unity. We have agreed to work together, and that is exactly what we are doing with the governor," Wike said.

The relationship between Wike and Fubara, whom he backed to succeed him as governor in 2023, deteriorated shortly after the latter assumed office. Their fallout sparked a fierce political battle that divided the state's political structure, with lawmakers loyal to Wike making repeated attempts to impeach the governor.

The crisis eventually prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in Rivers before both camps later reached a political settlement.

Reflecting on the events, Wike acknowledged that mistakes were made by all sides but stressed that continuing the feud would only undermine the state's development.

"We have all made mistakes, but we have also realised that the crisis was never in the interest of Rivers State. People should support this reconciliation instead of questioning it because those who oppose peace do not mean well for the state," he said.

He maintained that Rivers was the biggest casualty of the political standoff and urged residents to focus on rebuilding the state rather than dwelling on past disagreements.

"During all the political fights, who really lost? It was Rivers State. There is no reason for us to continue on that path," he added.

Wike said genuine leadership requires forgiveness and compromise, declaring that he had completely moved on from the dispute.

"When someone says, 'Let bygones be bygones,' that decision should be appreciated. We are not extremists. If I say I forgive you, then I truly forgive you," he stated.

To consolidate the reconciliation process, the FCT minister disclosed that a committee had been established to engage stakeholders across Rivers and ensure that every political interest is carried along in the new peace arrangement.

According to him, inclusive politics remains the only path to sustainable development. "If anyone wants to play politics today, it has to be through the Rainbow Coalition. No one can succeed without bringing people together. This is not about the APC, PDP, Labour Party or any other political platform. It is about the future of Rivers State," he said.

Wike also praised President Bola Tinubu's leadership, describing it as beneficial to both Rivers State and Nigeria.

Expressing confidence in the reconciliation, he said the governor would now be able to concentrate fully on governance without the distractions of political conflict.

"With the peace we have achieved, I believe Rivers State will witness significant progress within the next year. No governor can perform effectively in an atmosphere of crisis. Now that the governor's mind is at rest, he can focus on delivering dividends of democracy. Even if he has only a few months left in office, he can still make a meaningful impact," Wike said.

He further argued that the reconciliation had denied political opportunists the chance to exploit divisions within the state.

The renewed peace follows recent political developments in Rivers, including Governor Fubara's endorsement of the Rainbow Coalition supporting President Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid in the state. 

During the inauguration of the Rivers Medical Industries project in Port Harcourt in July, Fubara also threw his weight behind APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda as his preferred successor after withdrawing from the party's governorship primary, describing his decision as one made in the interest of peace, stability and unity in Rivers State.