Wike vs Fubara: Full List of Current Governors with Popular Godfathers
The political crisis rocking Rivers has been described as the regular tussle between godfathers and godsons, in which many critics have pointed accusing fingers at the immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, now minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
PAY ATTENTION: Join and listen to Legit.ng's X SPACE - Hard topic: How can the Naira be rescued? | Fri, Oct 27 at 7:00 PM
Legit.ng journalist Bada Yusuf is an accomplished politics and current affairs editor, boasting over seven years of experience in journalism and writing.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in his bid to settle with his godfather, Wike, was seen making a public apology for the recent tension in the state and trying to distance himself from the state's House of Assembly while commending President Bola Tinubu's intervention.
Source: Twitter
Wike's stance on the fight with Governor Fubara
Wike, on his part, has maintained his stance on defending the political structure he left behind in the state, adding that he would not allow anything or anyone to come near it while lamenting how Fubara has gone to align with his political enemies who had fought him when campaigning for him (Fubara).
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!
In the same vein, Wike is enjoying the support of the elders in the state, who have reminded Fubara how his predecessor brought him and other political officeholders in the state to the limelight.
However, it is pertinent to note that Fubara is not the only sitting governor in Nigeria who was pushed to that position through the help of a godfather.
Below is a list of sitting governors in Nigerian whose godfathers are popular:
Abba Kabir Yusuf
The Kano state governor, popularly referred to as Abba Gida Gida, is a known member of the Kwankwasiyyah Movement and an in-law to the former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Many are aware that Kwankwaso is a political godfather to the Kano state governor, who has begun to erase the legacies of the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos is a state of power struggle, fallouts and reconciliation that has thrived under the godfatherism of President Bola Tinubu since the return of democracy in 1999, when he served as the state governor.
President Tinubu has been popularly and generally described as the godfather in Lagos politics. His endorsement of any candidate for the number one seat in the state is always crucial in the polity.
Uba Sani
The emergence and prominence of Uba Sani in Kaduna politics cannot be told without mentioning the influence of the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai.
El-Rufai was so influential in northern politics that the vice president, Kashim Shettima, was reportedly instrumental in his rejection as a minister under President Tinubu's administration by the Senate.
Umo Eno
The Akwa Ibom state governor is one of the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who would not want to confront their political godfathers. In September, Governor Eno described his predecessor and immediate past governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel, as his "political father."
Governor Eno said:
"I thank God for the privilege He has given me through the Akwa Ibom people. I thank my political father and predecessor, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, for making it possible that I am standing here today."
Sheriff Oborevwori
The Delta state governor overcame all obstacles to the number one seat of the oil-rich state through the help and support of the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Okowa is another political strategist accused of betraying the southern governors in the PDP and working against their bid to produce the presidential candidate of the party, as he negotiated for a vice presidential slot of the opposition during the 2023 general election.
Wike vs Fubara: A formidable godfather or a protestant godson
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers and current minister of the FCT, has a firm grip on the state's politics and has remained a formidable politician in Nigeria's current political milieu.
Wike understands what loyalty is all about and would not tolerate 99.9% of it from any of his protégés. It is either 100% or nothing. He appears to be giving the same vibes to politicians he respects, such as President Bola Tinubu.
Source: Legit.ng
