South-South Governors have demanded FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s removal from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s executive cabinet thereby threatening to Boycott Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and National Economic Council (NEC) Meetings if their demand is not met.
9News Nigeria reports that Governors from Nigeria’s South-South region announced their intention to boycott future meetings of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the National Economic Council (NEC) unless President Bola Tinubu takes immediate action to address their concerns. Specifically, they called for the immediate removal of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike from his ministerial position or, at the very least, for the President to rein him in.
The governors have accused Wike of systematically targeting members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara allegedly being a key target of Wike’s actions and public statements. The situation has caused growing tension within the region, with the South-South governors expressing deep dissatisfaction with the leadership of the NGF, chaired by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State. They have criticized AbdulRazaq for failing to adequately address their grievances, particularly in relation to Wike’s alleged role in destabilizing Rivers State.
The strained relationship between Wike and his fellow politicians, including Governor Fubara, has historical roots. Wike’s influence within Rivers State politics has often sparked controversies, especially after he broke ranks with his party during the 2023 elections and supported President Tinubu, a member of the opposing All Progressives Congress (APC). This move further alienated him from key figures within the PDP, creating lingering tensions. Fubara, once seen as Wike’s ally, is now reportedly facing attempts by Wike to remove him from office, an issue that has prompted the current wave of unrest.
According to insiders, the South-South governors believe the NGF has not done enough to shield its members, particularly Governor Fubara, from Wike’s alleged machinations. They argue that Wike’s continued presence in Tinubu’s cabinet only exacerbates these issues, calling for urgent intervention.
The controversy between Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara has its roots in Rivers State politics, where Wike, the former governor, played a significant role in Fubara’s rise to power. Fubara, initially seen as Wike’s political ally and protégé, succeeded him as governor in 2023. However, tensions began to emerge shortly after Wike supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, breaking from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike’s move was seen as a betrayal by many in the PDP, and it reportedly strained his relationship with Fubara. Allegations soon surfaced that Wike was attempting to undermine Fubara’s governorship by influencing political dynamics in Rivers State, including attempts to remove Fubara from office. Wike’s public statements and actions against Fubara intensified the rift, leading to a broader conflict that has now spilled over into national politics, with other South-South governors backing Fubara and calling for Wike’s removal from Tinubu’s cabinet.
Report compiled by Obinna Ejianya (9News Nigeria)
