Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the political crisis in Rivers State denied Governor Siminalayi Fubara the opportunity to seek a second term, blaming the situation on what he described as poor advice from political associates and external interests.

Speaking during the August edition of his monthly media chat aired on Channels Television on Tuesday, Wike said he repeatedly advised Fubara not to abandon the political structure that brought him to power. He recalled facing challenges when he became governor but said he focused on building institutions and leaving a solid foundation for his successor.

Wike said he expected Fubara to continue the projects and political structure he inherited rather than distance himself from them. According to him, some individuals who initially opposed Fubara’s emergence later became his close allies and encouraged him to confront those who supported his rise to office.

“They didn’t want you to be governor, but they later became your friends. At the end of the fight, I have not lost anything. But you have lost. Your intention was to go for a second term, and you are not going,” Wike said.

Responding to a question about his relationship with the governor, the former Rivers State governor said he still cared about Fubara, insisting that their support for him was evidence of that.

Wike disclosed that efforts were made to reconcile both camps but said political considerations prevented a lasting settlement. He also alleged that external interests sought to take control of Rivers State for financial gain and accused some legal practitioners and political actors of giving the governor misleading advice.

The political rift between Wike and Fubara began shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023, escalating into a prolonged power struggle involving the Rivers State House of Assembly and the declaration of a state of emergency in the state in 2025.

Following his reinstatement, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. He later withdrew from the APC governorship primary and subsequently aligned himself with the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition, backing its preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 election.