“I Never Collapsed,” Wike Insists – FCT Minister Gives Conditions for Peace with Governor Fubara

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has debunked widespread rumours suggesting that he collapsed and was flown abroad for medical attention. Speaking on Friday during the platinum jubilee celebration of Honourable Ken Chikere in Port Harcourt, the former Rivers State governor dismissed the reports as false and malicious.

“I am here. I am healthy—very, very well,” Wike said emphatically. “Someone started spreading that I had collapsed. I was never sick. And even if I were, am I not a human being? Those who wish others to fall will be the ones to fall. And when you fall, it will be final.”

Wike clarified that his recent travel abroad was to attend his son’s graduation ceremony, not for medical reasons. His comments were aimed at silencing critics and dispelling speculation about his health, which has been a topic of political gossip amidst his rift with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Conditions for Peace: “It Must Be Peace with Sincerity”

While reaffirming his willingness to pursue peace in Rivers State, Wike made it clear that reconciliation must be genuine and inclusive. He stressed that any path toward resolution must involve all major stakeholders, including members of the State Assembly, the National Assembly, and both major political parties.

“We are men of peace, not of trouble. But it must be peace with sincerity, not peace as a decoy,” the FCT Minister declared. “Members of the State Assembly, the National Assembly, and the two major political parties must be involved.”

Wike’s remarks reflect a deeper skepticism about current peace efforts, which he believes may be superficial or one-sided. His stance underscores the ongoing power struggle within the state and the deep divisions that persist following his fallout with Governor Fubara.

Criticism of Elder Statesmen: “What Have They Done for Peace?”

In a sharp rebuke, Wike called out the silence of elder statesmen in the face of the political crisis in Rivers State. He accused them of turning a blind eye and questioned the concrete steps they had taken to mediate or promote reconciliation.

“What have these so-called elder statesmen done to bring peace?” Wike queried. “They remain quiet and watch as the crisis deepens. Their silence is complicity.”

The minister’s comments are seen as a direct challenge to influential figures who have refrained from speaking out or intervening publicly. By spotlighting their inaction, Wike is demanding greater accountability and engagement from leaders who wield moral or political influence in the region.

Media Blackmail and Embarrassment Tactics Won’t Work, Says Wike

Wike also lashed out at what he described as ongoing attempts to blackmail him through the media. He accused certain individuals of trying to use public embarrassment as a weapon to force reconciliation or weaken his political position.

“No amount of embarrassment or blackmail can bring peace,” Wike declared. “What can bring peace is humility and a sincere commitment to the interests of the state.”

He insisted that political stability in Rivers State cannot be achieved through deceit or propaganda. According to the minister, true peace will only come when all parties commit wholeheartedly to the wellbeing of the state, rather than personal agendas or vendettas.

Prolonged Political Rift and National Fallout

The fallout between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara has plunged Rivers State into a prolonged political crisis. What began as a mentor-protégé relationship has soured into a fierce rivalry, with accusations, power tussles, and political realignments destabilizing the state’s governance.

Opitanglobamedia News reports that the escalating tensions recently prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Despite previously championing Fubara’s gubernatorial bid in 2023, Wike has since become his most vocal critic.

As the standoff drags on, citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State await meaningful efforts from both camps to deescalate hostilities. Whether Wike’s call for inclusive, sincere peace will lead to genuine reconciliation—or fuel further confrontation—remains to be seen