Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has sent birthday wishes to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), despite simmering tensions between the two over the control of the state’s political structure.
In a message released on Wednesday, Fubara offered his congratulations to Wike on his 56th birthday, stating: “I congratulate my Oga, His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, Life Bencher, Immediate Past Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, on his 56th birthday today, December 13, 2023.”
“Your Excellency, my dear wife and I, and the good people of Rivers State, join your family and friends to felicitate you on this day. We sincerely pray that your new age brings you joy and good health. Once again, happy birthday and hearty congratulations.”
However, these outward expressions of goodwill are in contrast to the escalating political crisis brewing in Rivers State, especially with the recent defection of 27 House of Assembly members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the demolition of the assembly complex.
It can be recalled that Fubara recently declared that he would not “surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage.”
Wike, for his part, vowed to protect his influence in the state, accusing Fubara of “importing the crisis through his actions.” He further stated: “Let me tell you – I don’t like ingrates. I can’t stand it. What is happening now (in Rivers) is what Odili said in his book: ‘Give a man power and money, then you will know the person.’ If you haven’t given man power and money, then you don’t know the person.”
