Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has extended birthday greetings to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This comes despite ongoing tensions between the two regarding control of the state’s political structure.
In a message released on Wednesday, Fubara congratulated Wike on his 56th birthday, referring to him as “my Oga” and acknowledging his previous role as the Governor of Rivers State and his current position as the FCT Minister.
“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 displays of goodwill contrast with the rising political crisis building in Rivers State, particularly in light of the recent defection of 27 House of Assembly members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the destruction of the assembly structure.
Fubara recently stated that he will 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.”
