Reconciliation with Fubara will strengthen Tinubu’s 2027 chances in Rivers — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said the reconciliation between him and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara will significantly enhance President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing victory in Rivers State during the 2027 presidential election.

Mr Wike also dismissed suggestions that Fubara had committed any offence by returning to his political camp, insisting that “there is no sin in politics.”

The former Rivers governor said Fubara’s decision to reunite with the political family that brought him to power was a wise move that would foster unity and strengthen the state’s political structure ahead of future elections.

Mr Wike made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Responding to questions on the political reconciliation, the minister said politics should not be viewed through the lens of personal grievances, stressing that leaders must be willing to acknowledge mistakes and work together in the collective interest.

“I don’t know what you mean by sin. In politics, there is no sin. If someone realises they made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that. Politics is not a sin. What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and making the right decision,” Mr Wike said.

He recalled that he had predicted during his last media chat that Fubara would eventually return to the political camp that produced him, maintaining that the governor had no viable alternative.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him. I have now been informed that he has made that declaration publicly, and we welcome him.

“Our doors are open. Everyone is welcome for us to work together. There is no better alternative. We will all work together to move the state forward,” he said.

Mr Wike added that Fubara’s public declaration of reconciliation had removed any lingering uncertainty over their political relationship, expressing optimism that the renewed alliance would strengthen the state’s political cohesion.

“He has publicly stated that he has returned to where he started, and we receive him with an open mind. There is nothing to hide. We will all work together to ensure that we deliver the votes President Tinubu needs for his re-election,” the minister said.

The reconciliation between Messrs Wike and Fubara comes after months of intense political rivalry that plunged Rivers State into a prolonged leadership crisis, with both camps battling for control of the state’s political structure before recent peace efforts brokered by President Tinubu.