The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that he was made the Governor of Rivers State by political leaders in the region.
While acknowledging the support he received from some leaders, Wike insisted that his rise to power resulted from his efforts and determination.
Speaking at a civic reception for his loyalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, Wike contrasted his political journey with that of the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he asserted he installed as governor.
The remarks come in the wake of resurfaced social media videos in which former First Lady Patience Jonathan is seen introducing Wike to ex-governor Peter Odili and other political leaders as the preferred candidate to succeed Rotimi Amaechi.
These videos have reignited discussions amid ongoing tensions between Wike and Odili, fueled by the political rift between the minister and Fubara.
Expressing his frustrations, Wike criticized Odili for openly siding with Governor Fubara instead of adopting a neutral, fatherly role in the state’s political crisis.
Recounting his rise to power, Wike stated: “You didn’t give me. To be governor of Rivers State in 2014, I fought for the party structure. I took it from Magnus Abe, yes, I did.
“So you can’t say you made me Governor. Nobody, I don’t want to make comments about certain people, I won’t do that.
“You Magnus, all of you, Victor Giadom, I fought you people, took the party structure.
“So, nobody can say I brought Wike, I dashed you. Nobody can say that. But it would be unfair to me, to Almighty God, for me to say nobody supported me.
“No, you can’t say that. You need people’s support, but not to say you gave me.”
