Rejects Forgiveness for Fubara, Says Governor Must First Seek It

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has firmly stated that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has not made any move to seek forgiveness from him, and therefore, the question of reconciliation does not arise. According to Wike, through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, forgiveness is a process that must begin with acknowledgement of wrongdoing — something he insists Fubara has yet to do.

Wike’s remarks were in response to an appeal made by ex-militant leader and Niger Delta figure, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who recently called on the former Rivers State governor to bury the hatchet and reconcile with Fubara for the sake of unity and peace in the state.

Tompolo had urged Wike to exercise restraint and embrace dialogue in the ongoing political conflict between the two men, which has rocked Rivers politics for months. In a statement, he advised Wike to “bring his temper down” and allow for a peaceful resolution of the feud. “And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all,” Tompolo had said.

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Wike: Forgiveness Starts with an Apology

Reacting to the ex-militant leader’s plea, Olayinka made it clear that Wike sees no reason for forgiveness since there has been no effort from Fubara to request one. “There is no offence. It is when somebody has offended you personally that you are talking about the person seeking forgiveness or whatever,” Olayinka said.

He explained further that even if Wike were to consider Fubara’s actions as offensive, reconciliation could only happen if the Rivers governor admits to his wrongdoing and asks for forgiveness. “Do you forgive someone who has not come to you to seek forgiveness?” he asked rhetorically.

According to Olayinka, Wike is not focused on personal grievances but rather on maintaining integrity in governance. “The minister has never said that Fubara offended him personally,” he noted. “He only said that Fubara should govern in accordance with the rule of law and should not throw away those who risked their lives and resources to make him governor.”

“When Did Wike Become the Enemy?” — Aide Queries Fubara’s Shift

Olayinka also questioned the dramatic shift in Fubara’s attitude toward Wike, highlighting the loyalty and support Wike once gave to Fubara, even in dangerous and politically tense situations.

“He is the one to go for soul-searching because throughout the time he was working with this same Wike, throughout the time Wike was facing the bullet for him, Wike was not a bad person then,” he said. “So, at what point did Wike become a bad person to him? He should ask himself. When did Wike become somebody that Fubara would be so bold, telling him that he would deal with him?”

The narrative portrays a deep personal and political falling out between the former political allies, with Wike reportedly disappointed by what he perceives as Fubara’s betrayal of those who helped him ascend to power.

“No Apology, No Forgiveness” — Wike’s Position Firm

Drawing from a proverb to illustrate Wike’s current stance, Olayinka remarked, “You are begging a doctor to provide medicine for someone that is sick, but you are not begging the person that is sick to take the medicine. What happens?” This metaphor suggests that efforts for peace and reconciliation are being misdirected, focusing on the wrong party, and that the one who “offended” must make the first move.

Although Wike has not publicly detailed any personal grievances with Fubara, his spokesperson insisted that any path toward reconciliation must begin with acknowledgment of errors and a sincere effort from the governor to rebuild trust.

Furthermore, Olayinka noted that if Fubara has wronged anyone, it is President Bola Tinubu, not Wike. “If there is one person Fubara would say he has offended, it should be the President,” he said, hinting that Fubara’s actions may have broader implications beyond Rivers State politics.

As the political rift deepens, the crisis in Rivers State remains unresolved, with former allies now at loggerheads. While calls for peace continue from various quarters, including influential regional voices like Tompolo, it appears Wike is not ready to entertain reconciliation — not unless Governor Fubara takes the first step.