Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has expressed surprise at the political fallout between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urging the governor to exercise caution as tensions escalate in the state.

Fayose made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, reflecting on the breakdown of the relationship between Wike and his former protégé, which has contributed to prolonged instability in Rivers State.

“Let me quickly say this: I never imagined this would happen between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike,” Fayose said.

He revealed that he attended Fubara’s inauguration and had personally advised the governor against antagonizing his predecessor.
“I was on the high table the day Governor Fubara was sworn in, and I told Wike I wanted to say a few things to Fubara, so he wouldn’t betray you,” he added.

Fayose’s comments come amid renewed political tension in Rivers State, despite several reconciliation efforts, including intervention by the President.

A source close to the Presidency disclosed that President Bola Tinubu recently invited Wike for talks over the situation, with the meeting reportedly set to take place abroad. Fubara also traveled out of Nigeria on Thursday aboard a private jet, reportedly to meet Tinubu in France as part of attempts to resolve the standoff.

The developments coincide with a fresh impeachment move against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly believed to be aligned with Wike.

During Thursday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read a notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against the governor. The seven allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the legislature’s financial autonomy.

The impeachment proceedings follow Wike’s accusation that Fubara reneged on a peace agreement brokered by Tinubu. The power struggle between the two intensified months after Fubara assumed office, plunging the state into a governance crisis.

In December 2023, Tinubu intervened and brokered a fragile truce, under which Fubara ceded several political appointments to Wike’s allies. That agreement later collapsed, reigniting hostilities and prompting Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, citing rising insecurity and administrative paralysis. The declaration suspended Fubara’s executive powers for six months, during which former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), was appointed sole administrator.

Fayose also spoke on his loyalty to the PDP, noting that it does not prevent him from speaking honestly about the party’s challenges. “Everybody should be able to tell the truth to Nigerians. I am not contesting elections, and I have not asked anybody for favors,” he said.

He further reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, insisting that his endorsement was transparent. “I openly supported Asiwaju Tinubu in 2023. I didn’t hide it, and I am still consistent. I am not a member of the APC and I never will be,” Fayose stated.