Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has seemingly taken a jab at his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, asserting that his political adversaries put on a brave face in the media but lament privately.
Speaking on Wednesday during a solidarity visit from the people of Ogbakor Etche in Port Harcourt, Fubara remarked, “Don’t let anybody deceive you. They can come to the media and dance but when they go behind, they cry.”
Fubara’s comments appear to reference a recent video of Wike dancing, which sparked considerable debate on social media. The video showed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory wearing a Versace blue street-style coat reportedly worth over ₦2 million, a display that drew criticism from citizens concerned about the economic crisis in the country.
Fubara Commits to Prudence Amid Political Tensions
Governor Fubara has vowed to maintain caution amid the ongoing political tensions between him and the loyalists of Nyesom Wike. On Monday, Fubara hosted Wike’s kinsmen from the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, including leaders from the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, and various opinion and youth leaders, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
A statement from Nelson Chukwudi, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, revealed that Ikwerre stakeholders, led by paramount rulers and political leaders, declared their support for Fubara’s administration during the meeting.
Fubara emphasized his gratitude, acknowledging the significant contributions from those who have supported him. He stated, “I want to also say this: Fubara is not an ungrateful person. If I were a bad person, you (one) can’t hide a character that is bad for more than one week, two weeks, one month, one year, two years, eight years, or even more than eight years. For 16 years, if I was a bad person, everybody would have known.”
The governor assured Wike’s kinsmen that his administration would continue collaborating with well-meaning individuals and focus on executing development projects in the four local government areas where the Ikwerre people reside.