Rivers Crisis: "Wike is a Sleeping Tiger", Governor Fubara Warned

Rivers Crisis: "Wike is a Sleeping Tiger", Governor Fubara Warned

  • Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers state and current minister of the FCT, has been described as a sleeping tiger
  • Okanlawon Gaffar, an analyst who commented on the political crisis in Rivers, said the former governor could be silent, but that did not mean Governor Fubara had defeated him
  • Gaffar maintained that it was a stage that Wike had passed through, and there were chances that he would know how to be defeated as a godfather and how to win as well

Port Harcourt, Rivers - Rivers state governor Siminalayi Fubara has been warned against believing that he had defeated his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Soon after resuming office as the state's number one citizen, he fell out with him.

Okanlawon Gaffar, a legal practitioner, gave the warning in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, described the minister of the Federal Capital Territory as a sleeping tiger who has been in politics since 1999.

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Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT and former governor of Rivers state, has been described as a sleeping tiger who can still orchestrate the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara because he has been in the game since 1999.
An analyst explains why Wike can still plot Governor Fubara's removal Photo Credit: @GovWike, @SimFubaraKSC
Source: Twitter

Wike's power explained

According to Gaffar, Wike's silence does not mean he is weak or defeated but a permutation that could lead to Fubara's removal. He noted that Wike currently has the federal power he can use against the governor, and given that he orchestrated the coming of Fubara, he can also be instrumental in his removal.

He said:

"Wike is an astute politician. He is not new to the game; he has been active in politics since 1999. Despite being a member of the opposition party, he still holds a ministerial position, which is a testament to his astuteness.
"Currently, it seems his power is being diminished in Rivers state because, in most states, the governor is the leader of the party and the most powerful person.

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"Wike's position as a godfather, especially in the sense that he has passed through this before. He fought his godfather too to become the governor of Rivers state, so he understands how this game is played. I also believe that he understands how it can be lost and how it can be lost.
"Therefore, he is like a sleeping tiger. I think all is not lost when it comes to what Wike can do in Rivers state. This is Fubara's first elected position. I recalled that he was a commissioner under Wike.
"Wike definitely orchestrated his emergence as the governor of Rivers State and even as the candidate of the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party), and he cannot deny that. So, the same Wike who facilitated his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate and governor of Rivers State can also plot his removal."

APC chairman knocked for criticising Fubara

Legit.ng earlier reported that the APC caretaker chairman in Rivers state, Tony Okocha, has been knocked over his infrastructural comment under Governor Fubara.

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Wike vs Fubara: Amaechi opens up on Rivers' political crisis

Pro-Democracy Coalition of Nigeria criticised the opposition leader in the state concerning projects inherited by Governor Fubara.

The group described the chairman of the APC as a serial liar who was seeking media attention.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
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Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with 7 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Google's Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop. He previously worked as an Editor with OperaNews. Legit’s Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023). Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng