“I’ll Sacrifice Everything for Peace” – Fubara Defends Controversial Wike Deal as Angry Supporters Revolt
Exclusive Report By Joshua Ogbologugo
Rivers Governor faces loyalist backlash after reconciling with political nemesis under presidential pressure
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is fighting the political battle of his life, not against his enemies, but against his own supporters who feel betrayed by his stunning reconciliation with former mentor turned bitter rival, Nyesom Wike.
In what can only be described as one of the most dramatic political U-turns in recent Nigerian history, Fubara stood before a crowd of visibly frustrated loyalists in Port Harcourt on Saturday, essentially asking them to swallow their pride and accept a peace deal that many see as capitulation.
“Trust Me, Even When It Hurts”
The governor’s message was as blunt as it was controversial: “No sacrifice is too big for peace in Rivers State.” But behind those carefully chosen words lies a political reality that has left many of his closest allies questioning whether their governor has been outmaneuvered or is playing a longer game.
“I know many of you are disappointed,” Fubara admitted to the crowd, his voice carrying the weight of someone who knows he’s asking for the impossible. “But difficult times call for difficult decisions and concessions.”
It was a rare moment of political vulnerability – a sitting governor essentially apologizing to his own supporters for making peace with the man who had waged political war against him for months.
The Reconciliation That Nobody Saw Coming
Just weeks ago, the idea of Fubara and Wike appearing together publicly would have seemed like political fantasy. The two men had been locked in a vicious power struggle that turned Rivers State into a political battlefield, with lawmakers switching sides, projects stalling, and governance grinding to a near halt.
Then suddenly, like a scene from a political thriller, both men were making public appearances together, smiling for cameras and talking about unity. The speed of the transformation left even seasoned political observers scratching their heads.
Fubara revealed the game-changer: President Bola Tinubu had personally intervened with a clear directive that both men must reconcile “for the sake of Rivers State.” When the President of Nigeria tells you to make peace, you make peace, regardless of how bitter the feud.
The Price of Presidential Pressure
But here’s what makes this story truly fascinating: Fubara insists this wasn’t a solo decision made under duress. According to the governor, “at every stage, consultations were held with key stakeholders and trusted allies within his political family.”
If true, this suggests a level of political calculation that goes far deeper than simple presidential arm-twisting. It implies that Fubara’s inner circle concluded that continuing the fight with Wike would be more costly than swallowing their pride and accepting an uncomfortable peace.
Yet the reaction from his supporters suggests either those consultations weren’t as extensive as claimed, or the political reality on the ground differs significantly from the strategic thinking in the governor’s house.
The Loyalty Test Nobody Asked For
Perhaps the most telling moment of Fubara’s address came when he issued what amounts to a loyalty test to his supporters: “Now is the time to prove your loyalty and trust in my leadership, even when immediate political rewards seem uncertain.”
Read between the lines, and the governor is essentially saying: I know this looks like I’ve abandoned you, but stick with me anyway because I see something you don’t.
It’s a dangerous political gamble. Asking supporters to trust you when you appear to be cozying up to their enemies requires the kind of political capital that can evaporate quickly if the strategy doesn’t pay off.
The Development Card
Fubara isn’t relying solely on appeals to loyalty. He’s also playing the development card, pointing out that the political crisis has caused “several development projects across the state to suffer delays.”
This argument will resonate with ordinary Rivers residents who care more about roads, schools, and hospitals than political intrigue. If the reconciliation with Wike means faster project implementation and better governance, many voters will ultimately support it, regardless of how party loyalists feel.
“With the reconciliation process in motion, the pace of project implementation would soon pick up,” Fubara promised, betting that improved governance will justify what many see as political surrender.
Acknowledging the Uncomfortable Truth
In perhaps his most honest moment, Fubara acknowledged “the role Wike played in his emergence as Governor, saying that the political history cannot be erased.”
This admission cuts to the heart of the matter. Despite their bitter feud, Fubara owes his position partly to Wike’s support. In Nigerian politics, such debts are rarely forgotten, and perhaps the reconciliation represents an acceptance of political reality rather than weakness.
The Bigger Picture: What This Really Means
This reconciliation represents more than just two politicians making peace. It’s a demonstration of presidential power and influence in state-level politics. When Tinubu decided the Rivers crisis had gone on long enough, both men fell in line, a reminder of where real power lies in Nigeria’s political system.
For Fubara, the challenge now is maintaining credibility with supporters who feel betrayed while delivering on promises of improved governance. For Wike, it’s an opportunity to remain relevant in Rivers politics despite holding federal office.
The Opposition Opportunity
While APC politicians celebrate what they see as effective conflict resolution, opposition parties are watching carefully. A governor who appears to bow to presidential pressure and abandons supporters could be vulnerable in future elections.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition groups will likely portray this as evidence that the APC can force governors to abandon their principles when politically convenient.
What Comes Next?
The success or failure of this reconciliation will be measured not in speeches but in results. Can Fubara deliver the improved governance he’s promised? Will Wike actually step back from Rivers politics? And most importantly, will voters reward pragmatic peace-making or punish what some see as political capitulation?
Fubara has essentially bet his political future on the idea that Rivers residents care more about results than political drama. It’s a calculated risk that could either cement his reputation as a mature leader or mark the beginning of his political decline.
The Bottom Line
Governor Fubara’s passionate appeal for understanding reveals a politician caught between competing pressures, presidential directives, supporter expectations, and governance demands. His willingness to sacrifice political comfort for potential peace shows either remarkable courage or dangerous naivety.
Time will tell whether he’s played a masterful long game or simply been outmaneuvered by more experienced political operators. What’s certain is that Rivers State politics will never be quite the same.
For now, Fubara is asking his supporters to trust him on a journey none of them wanted to take. Whether they’ll follow him remains the biggest question in Rivers politics today.
DEVELOPING STORY: Sources suggest more details about the presidential intervention may emerge in coming days. TheDailyCourierNG continues monitoring this evolving political situation.
What do you think? Has Fubara made a smart political move or betrayed his supporters? Share your thoughts in the comments below.