The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that his rise to the position of Rivers State Governor was orchestrated by certain political figures.
Speaking during a civic reception in Port Harcourt for his loyalists from Rivers State, Wike acknowledged receiving political backing from some leaders but insisted that his journey to power was ultimately a result of his own efforts.
He contrasted his political ascent with that of the current Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he claims to have personally installed as his successor.
Wike’s remarks come amid resurfaced videos on social media showing former First Lady Patience Jonathan introducing him as the preferred candidate to former Governor Peter Odili and other Rivers State leaders during a succession planning meeting.
These videos have reignited tensions between Wike and Odili amidst a broader political crisis in Rivers State. The crisis has placed Wike at odds with Fubara and led to a public dispute with Odili, who has openly supported Fubara. Wike criticized Odili for not adopting a neutral, fatherly role in resolving the crisis.
“Nobody made me governor. In 2014, I fought for the party structure in Rivers State and took it from Magnus Abe. I fought Victor Giadom and others. I earned my place,” Wike asserted.
He continued: “It would be unfair to God and myself to say I had no support. I had backing from some people, but no one can claim they gave me the governorship.”
Wike’s political rise in 2015 came against the backdrop of a fallout between then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former President Goodluck Jonathan, who, alongside Patience Jonathan and Peter Odili, reportedly supported Wike’s bid for governor. At the time, Wike was serving as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff and later as Minister of State for Education under Jonathan.
