…says Governor breached agreement with President
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara should not have purchased the nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the 2027 gubernatorial elections.
Wike broke his silence on Monday during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja.
Recall that Governor announced his withdrawal from the 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries hours before the primaries was slated to hold.
Addressing journalists, Wike affirmed his support for Kingsley Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives, as his preferred candidate.
He noted that a private political agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu had guided the political events alleging that Fubara had agreed to drop his second-term ambitions in exchange for the Rivers State House of Assembly halting its impeachment proceedings against him.
Wike noted that while Fubara ultimately withdrew from the race, his initial decision to purchase the nomination forms violated their agreement and disregarded the president’s peace interventions.
“He should not have obtained the form in the first place because the agreement stipulated that the impeachment would be dropped, and he would not pursue a second term,” Wike remarked.
He added that purchasing the form showed a lack of gentlemanly conduct, which was unexpected given the president’s repeated appeals to the legislature to halt the impeachment.
The Minister however stated he was not surprised by the political shifts, asserting that Chinda’s emergence as a candidate was a result of his extensive experience.
Wike described Chinda as a highly capable professional with experience in both the executive and legislative branches, noting his previous role as the Minority Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He suggested that the APC likely approached Chinda to join the party and secure the ticket.
Wike shared these insights during what he described as a successful day of inspecting nearly completed roads and infrastructure across the FCT.
The toured sites included the Renewed Hope City in Kassara, the Old Keffi Road in Dei Dei, the Airport Road to Kuje corridor, the first phase of the Kuje to Gwagwalada road, and the City Gate project.
He stated that the projects are ready for commissioning, praised the contractors for their workmanship, and highlighted the City Gate project as an initiative envisioned by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Wike added that the contractor has promised to hand over the completed project by the end of May or the first week of June.